Insights into population genetics,connectivity and demographic history of the longnosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the western Mediterranean Sea

1. Genetic information is crucial for the conservation of Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758), a threatened large skate with declining populations over most of its geographical range. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic structure, connectivity and demographic history of the longnosed skate in Sardinia (western Mediterranean Sea).
2. Patterns of population structure were assessed in 175 specimens from six sampling sites. Variation in two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and control region) highlighted high genetic diversity and low but significant genetic differentiation among sites, which clustered into three groups corresponding to the north‐west, north‐east and south Sardinian coasts.
3. The observed genetic structuring could presumably depend on a combination of past geological events, contemporary restrictions to dispersal and biological characteristics of the species (e.g. site‐fidelity, no pelagic larval stage, limited dispersal of juveniles and/or adults).
4. Demographic analyses showed signs of past population expansion, but substantial current stability of Sardinian populations. From a conservation perspective, these results are encouraging, and indicate that Sardinian populations are still large and stable, and seem not to have suffered negative side‐effects from the ever‐growing fishing pressure in the region.
5. The occurrence of genetic structuring strongly supported the close monitoring of populations to identify any erosion of their gene pool, and high genetic variability of the Sardinian D. oxyrinchus populations could thus represent priority populations for conservation purposes, providing potential sources for recolonization in cases of local extinctions in other areas of the distribution range of the species.
6. When the sequences from Sardinia were compared with those available from other areas, the data seem to exclude the possibility that the Atlantic and Mediterranean host totally isolated populations or even different species, as recently suggested. However, additional markers and a larger sampling sites are needed to confirm these findings.

     

Biological and Artificial Matrixes as PAH Accumulators: An Experimental Comparative Study

In order to find out a new effective accumulator of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) useful for monitoring studies on a large scale and low costs, the accumulation capacity of both biological and artificial matrixes (mosses and polyester fibers, respectively) has been tested. For this purposes, Hypnum cupressiforme and dacron® were exposed to pollution airborne in two sites located nearby an active iron industry and in center of the town of Trieste, where high PAH pollution spots, due to vehicular traffic, are usually detected. The samplers were exposed in six sampling sessions for 21 days. The results obtained were compared with data collected by active PAH samplers, usually employed for official widespread monitoring. The level of correlation between the data sets was calculated. Furthermore, a repeatability study of data was performed. According to the results, both matrixes are good PAH accumulators, though they show different skills.     

Relationship between molecular characteristics of soil humic fractions and glycolytic pathway and krebs cycle in maize seedlings

A humic acid (HA) isolated from a volcanic soil was separated in three fractions of decreasing molecular size (I, II and III) by preparative high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). The molecular content of the bulk soil HA and its size fractions was characterized by pyrolysis-GC-MS (thermochemolysis with tetramethylammonium hydroxide) and NMR spectroscopy. All soil humic materials were used to evaluate their effects on the enzymatic activities involved in glycolytic and respiratory processes of Zea mays (L.) seedlings. The elementary analyses and NMR spectra of the humic fractions indicated that the content of polar carbons (mainly carbohydrates) increased with decreasing molecular size of separated fractions. The products evolved by on-line thermochemolysis showed that the smallest size fraction (Fraction III) with the least rigid molecular conformation among the humic samples had the lowest content of lignin moieties and the largest amount of other non-lignin aromatic compounds. The bulk HA and the three humic fractions affected the enzyme activities related to glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) in different ways depending on molecular size, molecular characteristics and concentrations. The overall effectiveness of the four fractions in promoting the metabolic pathways was in the order: III>HA>II>I. The largest effect of Fraction III, either alone or incorporated into the bulk HA, was attributed to a flexible conformational structure that promoted a more efficient diffusion of bioactive humic components to maize cells. A better knowledge of the relationship between molecular structure of soil humic matter and plant activity may be of practical interest in increasing carbon fixation in plants and redirect atmospheric CO₂ into bio-fuel resources.     

Effects of nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate on functions of mononuclear cells obtained from ewes

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) on functions of mononuclear cells obtained from ewes. ANIMALS: 6 Sardinian ewes. PROCEDURE: Mononuclear cells were cultured with concentrations of NEFA (0, 15.6, 31.2, 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1,000, or 2,000 micromol/L) and BHBA (0, 0.45, 0.9, 1.8, or 3.6 mmol/L). Concentrations of NEFA and BHBA were intended to mimic those of ketotic or healthy ewes, and NEFA and BHBA were tested alone and in combination. Synthesis of DNA was stimulated by use of concanavalin A (Con A) or pokeweed-mitogen (PWM). Secretion of IgM was stimulated by use of PWM. RESULTS: Synthesis of DNA stimulated by Con A and PWM was significantly inhibited by high concentrations of NEFA (> or = 250 micromol/L) or by a combination of high concentrations of NEFA (> or = 250 micromol/L) and all concentrations of BHBA (> or = 0.45 mmol/L). In contrast, DNA synthesis was not inhibited by low concentrations of NEFA (< or = 125 micromol/L) or by a combination of low concentrations of NEFA (< or = 125 micromol/L) and the lowest concentration of BHBA (0.45 mmol/L). Secretion of IgM was significantly inhibited by all concentrations of NEFA and by all combinations of NEFA and BHBA concentrations. When used alone, none of the concentrations of BHBA inhibited DNA synthesis or IgM secretion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Reduced immunoresponsiveness during ketosis is likely to be associated with an increase in plasma concentration of NEFA and not with an increase in plasma concentration of BH BA.     

Optimizing forage yield of durum wheat/field bean intercropping through N fertilization and row ratio

Intercropping (IC) cereals and legumes could be an option for obtaining forage suitable for ensiling and enabling reduced N fertilization. Two experiments were performed in central Italy with durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) and field bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor) grown for forage production in IC and as sole crops (SC) with different N rates (20 and 50 kg ha^?1) and row ratios (1:1 and 2:1 cereal/legume). The aims were to assess (i) whether IC is a feasible option to reduce N fertilization; (ii) the best combination of practices to obtain forage suitable for ensiling; and (iii) competition/facilitation effects exerted by field bean on durum wheat. Results showed IC allowed fertilizer‐N reduction and led to improved forage yield with better quality, compared with SC. Land equivalent ratio indicated a high efficiency of the IC, by up to 26% with respect to SC. Field bean was the dominant species of IC, but N fertilization reduced its competitive ability and enhanced that of wheat. In the intercrop fertilized with 50 kg N ha^?1, the proportion of the wheat in the herbage (0·34–0·41 of the total dry matter) was sufficient for ensiling of the forage mass. Field bean exerted both competition and facilitation effects on the cereal. N uptake of durum wheat was greater under IC with beans than as wheat SC.     

Diurnal and seasonal variability in radial distribution of sap flux density: Implications for estimating stand transpiration

Daily and seasonal patterns in radial distribution of sap flux density were monitored in six trees differing in social position in a mixed coniferous stand dominated by silver fir (Abies alba Miller) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) in the Alps of northeastern Italy. Radial distribution of sap flux was measured with arrays of 1-cm-long Granier probes. The radial profiles were either Gaussian or decreased monotonically toward the tree center, and seemed to be related to social position and crown distribution of the trees. The ratio between sap flux estimated with the most external sensor and the mean flux, weighted with the corresponding annulus areas, was used as a correction factor (CF) to express diurnal and seasonal radial variation in sap flow. During sunny days, the diurnal radial profile of sap flux changed with time and accumulated photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), with an increasing contribution of sap flux in the inner sapwood during the day. Seasonally, the contribution of sap flux in the inner xylem increased with daily cumulative PAR and the variation of CF was proportional to the tree diameter, ranging from 29% for suppressed trees up to 300% for dominant trees. Two models were developed, relating CF with PAR and tree diameter at breast height (DBH), to correct daily and seasonal estimates of whole-tree and stand sap flow obtained by assuming uniform sap flux density over the sapwood. If the variability in the radial profile of sap flux density was not accounted for, total stand transpiration would be overestimated by 32% during sunny days and 40% for the entire season.     

Interactions of three s-triazines with humic acids of different structure

The adsorption of three s-triazines (atrazine, terbutylazine, and simazine) on three different humic acids (HAs), before and after acidic hydrolysis, was studied at four diverse pH values from 3 to 4.5. The Freundlich sorption affinity (K(f)) and intensity (1/n) of s-triazines were related to the chemical and structural composition of HA and used in a multivariate statistical analysis. At low pH, the sorption values for s-triazines were not directly justified by the content of carboxyl groups in original HA, while only an increase of phenolic carbons in hydrolyzed HA supported the increased s-triazine adsorption. The structural composition of both s-triazines and humic samples explained 86% of the significance in multivariate analyses, whereas the role of pH remained hidden in only 14% of the statistical significance. Adsorption of s-triazines was mainly related to carbon content, hydrophobicity, and aromaticity of HA, thereby implying a predominant binding role of weak dispersive forces. Steric properties explained the larger adsorption affinity of atrazine and terbutylazine with respect to simazine. The occurrence of charge-transfer interactions between atrazine and mainly hydrolyzed HA was further suggested by the increased number of free radicals detected in atrazine-HA complexes at different pH values. Charge-transfer interactions were postulated to occur when HA conformations became progressively controlled by aromatic components. This work indicates that humic matter rich in hydrophobic and aromatic constituents is more likely to adsorb s-triazines and reduce their environmental mobility.     

Mapping hotspots of multiple landscape functions: a case study on farmland afforestation in Scotland

Many conservation and restoration efforts in developed countries are increasingly based on the premise of recognising and stimulating more ‘multi-functionality’ in agricultural landscapes. Public policy making is often a pragmatic process that involves efforts to negotiate trade-offs between the potentially conflicting demands of various stakeholders. Conservationists’ efforts to influence policy making, can therefore benefit from any tool that will help them to identify other socio-economic functions or values that coincide with good ecological conservation options. Various types of socio-economic objectives have in recent years been mapped across landscapes and so there are now important opportunities to explore the spatial heterogeneity of these diverse functions across the wider landscape in search of potential spatial synergies, i.e. ‘multiple win locations’ or multifunctional ‘hotspots’. This paper explores the potential occurrence of such synergies within the agricultural landscape of northeast Scotland and evaluates an existing woodland planting policy using and combining three different policy objectives. Our results show that there are indeed broad areas of the studied landscape where multiple objectives (biodiversity, visual amenity and on-site recreation potential) could be achieved simultaneously (hotspots), and that the case study which we evaluate (the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme) could be much better spatially targeted with regards to each individual objective as well as with regards to these hotspots of multifunctionality.

Screening techniques and sources of resistance to root diseases in cool season food legumes

Summary Soil-borne fungal diseases are among the most important factors, limiting the yield of grain legumes in many countries worldwide. Root rot, caused by Aphanomyces euteiches, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani and wilt, caused by several formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporum are the most destructive soil-borne diseases of pea, chickpea, lentil, fababean and lupin. The most effective control of these diseases is achieved through the use of resistant varieties. In this paper, recent advances in conventional and innovative screening methods for disease resistance are presented. Many grain legume accessions, which are maintained in national and international germplasm collections, have been evaluated for disease resistance and numerous resistant varieties have been released following incorporation of identified resistance genes from these sources. Recent identification of molecular markers tightly linked to resistance genes has greatly enhanced breeding programs by making marker assisted selection (MAS) possible and allowing the development of varieties with multiple disease resistance. Progress in the understanding of the biology of soil-borne fungal pathogens of grain legumes is also reviewed with particular reference to the genetic structure of their populations, diagnosis and host–pathogen interaction.