Water availability affects nectar sugar production and insect visitation of the cup plant Silphium perfoliatum L. (Asteraceae)

The perennial cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) is considered as an alternative feedstock to maize for biogas plants. Due to its ecological advantages of an extensive management and function as food resource for pollinators, it can be grown in Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) since 2018. However, studies at the Julius Kühn-Institute in Braunschweig (Germany) showed that the assumed advantage of the cup plant of a high drought tolerance could not be confirmed regarding aspects of crop production and yield. We complemented this experiment by assessing how different soil moisture conditions affect the production of floral resources and insect visitation. In 2014, we sampled three irrigated and three rainfed plots of the cup plant. We quantified the nectar volume and sugar mass per inflorescence, the number of inflorescences per plant and calculated the total nectar sugar production. We further counted insect visitation on the inflorescences. Due to reduced numbers of inflorescences per plant and an earlier harvest, the estimated nectar sugar production was 58 kg/ha regarding irrigated and 20 kg/ha regarding rainfed plots. Honeybee visitation per inflorescence was about twice as high in the irrigated plots. Furthermore, the early harvest is a disadvantage for wild pollinators with a late activity period.     

Nile tilapia broodfish fed high‐protein diets: Digestive enzymes in eggs and larvae

The aim of this study was to assess the activity of gastric, pancreatic and intestinal digestive enzymes during the embryonic and larval development of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) GIFT strain Aqua America^® 1 obtained from a broodstock fed two levels of crude protein (CP). A total of 72 females and 24 males, 10 hapas, two CP levels (32% and 38%) and six phases of embryonic (cleavage, blastula, gastrula) and larval (hatching, 7 and 10 days post hatch, dph) stages were used. The eggs were collected in cleavage, blastula and gastrula stages, 300 mg was collected, and kept in cryogenic tubes in liquid nitrogen. For the samples at larval stage, the remaining eggs were separated according to crude protein level and kept in hatcheries and samples were collected on 7 and 10 dph the same way as before. A total of 48 samples were collected: at each protein level (32% and 38% CP), four samples were collected in each phase of embryonic and larval development. Statistical differences were not observed during embryonic development for acid proteases, trypsin, amylase and lipase activity at both levels of crude protein (32 and 38% CP). Differences for acid proteases were noticed on 7 dph; trypsin and amylase on 7 dph and 10 dph. Significant differences on blastula and 7 dph for protease; as for aminopeptidase, there was significant difference on 7 dph. The data indicated early appearance of digestive enzymes in Nile tilapia broodfish receiving 32% CP taking into account the rapid growth and development of this species.     

Stable isotopes and gut contents indicate differential resource use by coexisting asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

Differential use of habitat and prey resources is an important mechanism that may allow coexistence of sympatric species. Unlike interactions between smaller cyprinid and percid fishes, the resource use by coexisting predatory asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is relatively unknown. Here, gut content and stable isotope analyses were used to study ontogenetic dietary shifts and interspecific trophic niche overlap between asp and pikeperch coexisting in two reservoirs. The hypothesis that both species show an ontogenetic dietary shift from small invertebrates to large fish prey, but at the same time use different prey resources to reduce potential competitive interactions, was validated. The isotopic niches of the two predators showed no, or only a moderate, degree of overlap (0%–65%). The ontogenetic changes in the degree of interspecific isotopic niche overlap were different in the two reservoirs, suggesting that trophic segregation can be dynamic and variable among systems. Gut contents revealed that small (<100 mm standard length) asp consumed mostly terrestrial invertebrates and emerged aquatic insects, whereas small pikeperch foraged on zooplankton, larval and pupal stages of aquatic insects and fish. Larger individuals (>100 mm) of both species were predominantly piscivorous, with asp consuming more cyprinid prey and pikeperch more percid prey. Coexisting asp and pikeperch populations are able to utilise different prey resources, thereby reducing potential negative competitive interactions.     

Early development and allometric growth in hatchery‐reared Eurasian perch,Perca fluviatilis L.

The morphological development and allometric growth patterns of Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis L., a highly valued commercial species, were studied under intensive rearing conditions from hatching up to 50 DPH (Days Post Hatch). Based on the external morphology, four different phases during early development of Eurasian perch were identified: pre‐flexion larva 0–20 DPH (5.70–10.16 mm TL); flexion larva 22–30 DPH (11.09–15.14 mm TL) and post‐flexion larva/juvenile 32–50 DPH (18.00–24.75 mm TL). The results indicate that growth period when final replacement of all temporary (larval) structures and most important changes in the shape of P. fluviatilis occurred (between 13.95 and 24.06 mm TL, during flexion and post‐flexion phase) can be considered as a transitional period between the larva and juvenile. All body segments, except trunk length and tail length showed fast growth (positive allometry) throughout the entire studied period or up to the respective inflexion point with a common tendency to isometry. In addition, the specific behaviours (e.g. pelagic way of life) of Eurasian perch larvae resulted in some characteristic allometric growth patterns in the posterior region, different from the majority of other teleosts. The results are discussed with respect to the ontogeny of the functional morphology under both ecological and aquaculture considerations.     

Growth and ontogenetic development of digestive functionality in black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis)

The function of digestive physiology during ontogenetic development is essential to ensure high survival and growth rates. In order to evaluate the digestive physiological capacity of the black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis), changes of morphology and digestive enzyme activity (trypsin, lipase, amylase, pepsin, leucine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase) in larvae were examined from hatching to 40 days after hatching (DAH). Results indicated that fluctuation patterns differed between the total and specific activities of the digestive enzymes. The total activities of these six enzymes gradually increased throughout the fish growth. The specific activity of trypsin peaked at 5 DAH and then decreased dramatically, while it increased remarkably again from 8 to 10 DAH and remained stable level after 20 DAH. Pepsin activity was first examined in M. terminalis at 15 DAH and gradually elevated towards the end of the experiment. The specific activity of lipase displayed obvious peaks at 5 and 20 DAH. For the amylase, its specific activity reached plateau at 4 DAH, underwent sharp decrease, and remained stable after 20 DAH. In addition, we found that the specific activity of alkaline phosphatase raised significantly from hatching to 5 DAH, and tended to keep slight fluctuation after 15 DAH. From the above, we concluded that the specific activities of digestive enzymes in the larvae varied constantly from 3 to 20 DAH and turned relatively stable after 20 DAH. The present study provides effective information that is useful to improve the seedling cultivation and the technology for healthy breeding.     

Effect of starvation on the performance of baby octopus (Robsonella fontaniana) paralarvae

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short‐ and long‐term starvation on paralarvae from hatching and compare to fed paralarvae. In the continuous starvation treatments, paralarvae at hatching were left without food as independent treatments for 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15 days. In the fed treatments, the newly hatched paralarvae were fed for five and eight days; then each group was left in starvation as independent treatments for 3, 5 and 7 days. After any experimental starvation period, the paralarvae were fed for five more days to evaluate their recovery. Paralarvae exposed to continuous starvation from hatching endured up to 8 days after hatching (8 SDAH) showing significant recovery. Its survival decreased proportionally to the days of starvation, without any recovery after 12 DAH. Fed paralarvae (5 and 8 FDAH), resulted in significant differences accordingly to the length of the starvation period. Paralarvae left under permanent starvation showed a noticeable decrease in their arm/mantle length ratio and an atrophy of the digestive gland was observed. Amino acids were used primarily as energy source by paralarvae, particularly in the second week of starvation. It is discussed the critical age to avoid deleterious effects of starvation on paralarvae.     

杜仲雌花芽2个发育时期转录组分析

杜仲(Eucommia ulmoides)的果实是提取杜仲胶和杜仲籽油的重要原材料,在工业、医疗、食品等领域开发前景广阔。为了揭示雌蕊原基发育相关基因的表达情况,本研究以杜仲果用良种‘华仲6号’(Huazhong No.6)为材料,利用lllumina Hiseq X-10高通量测序平台,分别对花序原基分化期和雌蕊原基分化期的花芽进行转录组测序,通过生物信息学对2个发育时期的雌花芽转录组进行比较分析,筛选出与杜仲雌蕊原基发育相关的差异基因。结果显示,转录组测序共获得68.11 Gb数据,各样品的Clean reads与杜仲基因组进行序列比对,比对效率为91.59%~92.05%,同时2个发育时期共筛选出485个差异表达基因,其中219个差异基因在雌蕊原基分化期表达上调,266个表达下调。差异基因GO富集结果表明,花的发育、光周期现象、激素生物合成以及蛋白结合转录因子活性等相关的生物途径被富集。KEGG富集结果表明淀粉和蔗糖代谢、碳代谢、昼夜节律和植物激素信号转导等代谢通路被富集。结果表明光周期途径是诱导杜仲成花的重要途径,且雌蕊原基发育受碳水化合物、植物激素和其他代谢物质调控。本研究为杜仲花器官发育调控基因的挖掘提供了基础数据,也为果用杜仲的分子育种提供了参考。     

花色多态植物紫薇花部综合特征与繁育系统

[目的]紫薇具有红色、紫色和白色等显著不同的花色以及形态、大小和颜色明显不同的2种雄蕊,使其成为花色多态型和异型雄蕊研究的良好材料.对紫薇花部综合特征和繁育系统进行系统研究,探究紫薇不同花色植株的繁殖策略以及2种雄蕊在传粉过程中的功能作用.[方法]通过野外定点观测,采用传粉昆虫调查、人工授粉以及人工控制套袋试验等方法对紫薇3种花色植株的花部形态特征、开花进程、传粉式样以及花朵的功能形态特征进行检测.[结果]1)3种花色植株的花期和单花开放进程基本相同(单花花期为4～5天).2)3种花色植株的花在形态特征上存在差异.3)3种花色植株的短雄蕊数表现为白色花植株＞紫色花植株＞红色花植株,花色间存在显著差异(P＜0.05);红色花植株的单花花粉量和P/O值显著低于其他2种花色植株(P＜0.05).4)3种花色植株的花粉活性和柱头可授性动态变化趋势相似;花粉寿命与柱头可授期有部分重叠,长雄蕊花粉活性最高时期早于柱头最佳可授期,短雄蕊的与柱头最佳可授期同步;白色和紫色花植株的柱头最佳可授期比红色花植株的长(约2h).5)2种雄蕊在形态、颜色、花粉量、人工控制试验条件下的结实率和结籽数以及传粉昆虫访花行为等方面都存在显著差异,说明2种雄蕊在传粉过程中存在功能分化,即黄色短雄蕊主要起招引昆虫作用,暗黄色长雄蕊主要起传粉作用;但2种雄蕊在花粉活性、花粉组织化学成分以及人工控制授粉后的结实率等方面均无显著差异,表明二者在生理上尚未分化;去除雄蕊试验表明,雄蕊的排列方式是影响2种雄蕊功能分化程度的重要因素.6)P/O值、套袋试验以及传粉昆虫观察结果表明,紫薇不存在无融合生殖、主动自交和自交不亲和现象,其交配方式是以异交为主、自交亲和的兼性异交繁育系统.7)传粉昆虫对红色花植株有明显偏好,访问该花色植株的频率显著高于其他2种花色植株(P＜0.01);人工授粉后,白色和紫色花植株的结实率显著提高.[结论]在自然条件下,紫薇的白色和紫色花植株存在一定的花粉限制.此时,增加对雄性功能的投入、延长柱头最佳可授期是其维持繁殖成效的适应策略;在传粉过程中,2种雄蕊既有分工,又有协作.2种雄蕊花药开裂时间不同步,花粉活力维持时间也不同,花粉的这种装配机制是紫薇提高花粉输出效率的繁殖策略.     

北方白菜型冬油菜花器特性及农艺性状与含油量的相关性

为研究北方白菜型冬油菜花冠直径与千粒重及含油量之间的相关性,以20份不同的白菜型冬油菜为材料，测定花器大小、农艺性状、种子含油量及蛋白质含量,并对控制花器特征基因mf6、apetala和myb进行实时荧光定量PCR分析。结果表明:花冠直径受雌蕊直径影响较大,主成分分析提取的3个主成分可综合为花器各性状长度、雌蕊直径和花器各性状宽度；以花冠直径为指示性状，将20份白菜型冬油菜花冠划分为3类群；相关性分析表明，花冠直径与千粒重呈极显著正相关，相关系数0.663；千粒重与含油量呈极显著正相关，与蛋白质含量呈显著负相关。相较于小花，mf6在大花中相对表达量上调了151.63%，而apetala和myb分别下调了83.80%和72.70%。北方白菜型冬油菜品种间花器大小存在显著差异；在育种中可通过增加花冠直径来提高千粒重，进而增加油菜产油量，培育高含油量白菜型冬油菜品种。mf6、apetala和myb基因对白菜型冬油菜花器生长发育均具有一定调控作用。     

蓝莓不同品种花芽形成过程中内源激素变化

采用酶联免疫吸附测定法测定5个蓝莓品种在花芽形成期间花芽中4种内源激素含量，研究内源激素对蓝莓花芽分化的影响，为人工调控蓝莓花芽分化奠定理论基础。研究结果表明，5个蓝莓品种在花芽形成过程中，花芽中GAs和ZR含量呈先升高后下降，再升高的变化趋势，在花芽分化初期达到最大值，之后一直保持在较低水平；IAA含量呈先下降后升高的趋势，在花芽分化中期达到最小值，之后含量迅速上升；ABA含量呈先下降后升高，再下降的趋势，在花芽分化末期达到最大值。在花芽形成过程中，5个蓝莓品种花芽中ABA/GAs比值均表现为先下降后升高；ZR/GAs和ZR/IAA的变化趋势相同，均呈先升高后下降的‘M’形变化；ABA/IAA的变化趋势与ZR/GAs相反。