The evolutionary processes of mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes differ from those of nuclear genomes

This paper first introduces our present knowledge of the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts, and the organization and inheritance patterns of their genomes, and then carries on to review the evolutionary processes influencing mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes. The differences in evolutionary phenomena between the nuclear and cytoplasmic genomes are highlighted. It is emphasized that varying inheritance patterns and copy numbers among different types of genomes, and the potential advantage achieved through the transfer of many cytoplasmic genes to the nucleus, have important implications for the evolution of nuclear, mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes. Cytoplasmic genes transferred to the nucleus have joined the more strictly controlled genetic system of the nuclear genome, including also sexual recombination, while genes retained within the cytoplasmic organelles can be involved in selection and drift processes both within and among individuals. Within-individual processes can be either intra- or intercellular. In the case of heteroplasmy, which is attributed to mutations or biparental inheritance, within-individual selection on cytoplasmic DNA may provide a mechanism by which the organism can adapt rapidly. The inheritance of cytoplasmic genomes is not universally maternal. The presence of a range of inheritance patterns indicates that different strategies have been adopted by different organisms. On the other hand, the variability occasionally observed in the inheritance mechanisms of cytoplasmic genomes reduces heritability and increases environmental components in phenotypic features and, consequently, decreases the potential for adaptive evolution.     

利用RAPD标记分析卧龙自然保护区不同海拔沙棘种群的遗传变异

从1800m到3400m五个海拔连续取样,用RAPD分子标记研究了卧龙自然保护区中国沙棘种群的遗传结构和遗传变异.用11条寡核苷酸引物,扩增得到151个重复性好的位点,其中143个多态位点,多态率达94.7%.在5个沙棘种群中,总遗传多样性值(HT)为0.289,B种群内的遗传多样性值为0.315,这完全符合沙棘这种多年生、远交的木本植物高遗传变异的特性.5个种群内遗传多样性随海拔升高呈低—高—低变异趋势,在2200m海拔处的B种群遗传多样性达最大值0.315,3400m海拔处的E种群则表现最小,仅0.098.5个种群间的遗传分化值GST=0.406,也即是说有40.6%的遗传变异存在于种群间,59.4%存在种群内.1800m海拔处的A种群与其他种群的明显分离是造成种群间遗传分化大的原因.UPGMA聚类图和PCoA散点图分别进一步确证了5个种群间关系和所有个体间的关系.最后,经过Mantel检测,遗传距离与海拔表现了明显的相关性(r=0.646,P=0.011).     

Translocation studies of 137Cs and 90Sr in bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris): simulation of fallout

In case of an accident at a nuclear power plant with liberation of radioactive material into the atmosphere, knowledge about the behavior of plant species when in contact with radionuclides is indispensable for safety reasons. The leaf-fruit translocation is an important route through which agricultural products are contaminated by radionuclides. To quantify the leaf-fruit translocation factors for 137Cs and 90Sr in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) an experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with a randomized block design. 137Cs activity was determined by gamma-ray spectrometry, while chemical separation followed by beta counting of 90Y was used for 90Sr determination. The model applied for translocation indicated functional dependence between the moment of tracer application and the physiological development of the bean plant. Translocation factors obtained for 137Cs and 90Sr were 0.16 and less than 0.005, respectively.     

Pesticide residues in cow milk consumed in São Paulo City (Brazil)

Residues of pesticides were surveyed in 132 samples of cow milk collected from bulk transports (38 samples of raw milk) and market (94 samples of pasteurised milk). These samples were analysed by the multiresidue analytical method DFG S19 for pesticide contamination. More than 70 active substances were studied and the identification and quantification were made by gas chromatographic technique. The results showed that 0.76% of samples were contaminated with HCH (alpha isomer) and 10.60% with endosulfan (alpha and beta isomers). Both pesticides, endosulfan and HCH, found in milk samples, indicated their use in agriculture practices, although legislation in Brazil does not permit the use of HCH since 1985 and endosulfan can be used only in a few crops. These compounds should not be present in milk because there are implications on human health. Organophosphorus, carbamates, pyrethroids, herbicides, and fungicides were not detected in cow's milk samples.     

Correction to: Ecological restoration as a strategy for mitigating and adapting to climate change: lessons and challenges from Brazil

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change - The original version of the article unfortunately contained an error.     

“Consent and Consensus in Policies Related to Food – Five Core Values”

When formulating a policy related to food in a heterogeneous context within a nation or between nations, oppositional positions are more or less explicit, but always have to be overcome. It is interesting to note, though, that such elements as culture and religion have seldom been the focus in discussions about methods of decision-making in food policy. To handle discrepancies between oppositional positions, one solution is to narrow differences between partners, another to accept one partner or position as dominant. In a solid and lasting policy, any of these options has to be agreed upon by all the partners involved. In this article, I argue that context sensitivity and a shared picture of the situation are necessary bases for a solid food policy. Two methods for policy discussion are elaborated on and religious slaughter is given as an example of a heterogeneous setting with strongly diverging ideals. Several aspects have to be respected from the outset, such as culture, religion, and value systems. This condition is partly met in a model of informed consent and in a consensus model. The informed consent model is regarded as insufficient, because it lacks both methods of dealing with hierarchies and the goal of finding a shared and nuanced picture of the situation. A consensus model meets these tasks but might on the other hand, among other things, be too difficult to follow and to administer. For both models, some difficulties with justification of decisions arise. Five essential elements emanating from a combination of these models are suggested as a basis for a decision process regarding food policies: respect for each discussion partner, context sensitivity, respect for arguments including emotions, a shared picture of the situation, and finally relating theory and practice.     

Basis for a national strategy for integrated coastal zone management—in Portugal

This paper includes the proposals made in the report “Basis for a National Strategy for Coastal Zone Management” prepared for the Portuguese Ministry of Environment, Territorial Planning and Regional Development. The final version of that report was presented in June 2006. This paper describes a theme framework followed by a discussion of concepts. Nine Primary Principles, eight Principal Objectives, and 37 Strategic Options for an Integrated Coastal Zone Management are then presented. These Strategic Options are set hierarchically according to their sequential priority, identifying the dominant types of Associated Measures. The analysis of these arrives at a set of Structural Measures, which interlink and aggregate various actions and propose a new method of integrated management for the coastal zone, which includes the “Legal Basis of Coastal Zone”; the Organization System; the Action Plan and Monitoring.     

Phytomanagement of Cd-contaminated soils using maize (Zea mays L.) assisted by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

Zea mays (L.) is a crop widely cultivated throughout the world and can be considered suitable for phytomanagement due to its metal resistance and energetic value. In this study, the effect of two plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, Ralstonia eutropha and Chryseobacterium humi, on growth and metal uptake of Z. mays plants in soils contaminated with up to 30 mg Cd kg^?1 was evaluated. Bacterial inoculation increased plant biomass up to 63 % and led to a decrease of up to 81 % in Cd shoot levels (4–88 mg Cd kg^?1) and to an increase of up to 186 % in accumulation in the roots (52–134 mg Cd kg^?1). The rhizosphere community structure changed throughout the experiment and varied with different levels of Cd soil contamination, as revealed by molecular biology techniques. Z. mays plants inoculated with either of the tested strains may have potential application in a strategy of soil remediation, in particular short-term phytostabilization, coupled with biomass production for energy purposes.     

Use of polyvinyl chloride pipes (PVC) as potential artificial shelters for amphibians in a coastal plain forest of southeastern Brazil

We studied the use of polyvinil chloride pipes (PVC pipes) by frogs as artificial shelters in a Coastal Plain forest in the Vale Natural Reserve, north of Espírito Santo state, southeastern Brazil from June 2015 to May 2016. We used 14 plots distributed in the Coastal Plain Forest following the RAPELD methodology of sampling. The frogs were sampled in transects along the plots, using the active search method, with visual and auditory sampling. We recorded two species of frogs (Aparasphenodon brunoi and Scinax argyreornatus) using PVC pipes as shelters in the plots in the Forest. Of the 468 PVC pipes established along plots, 38 of them (8.1%) were used as shelter by the frogs. For both frog species, about 33% of microhabitats used in the forest were the interior of PVC pipes. We concluded that the PVC pipes might constitute artificial shelters for at least two of the frog species living in the community of the Coastal Plain Forest, potentially being of relevance in conservation programs. In altered areas and those in which there has been the loss of types of microhabitats, the addition of these PVC pipes as artificial shelters may represent additional and complementary microhabitats to keep or increase the population stocks of arboreal and semi-arboreal frog species and having a size that allow them entering the shelter. These artificial shelters can play an important role in conservation of these frogs in fragmented areas where the availability of the microhabitats of these frog species were locally reduced.