Natural Stable Isotopes for Determination of Gastrointestinal Transit Time in Fish

This study evaluated the application of stable isotopes of carbon as an alternative and more accurate method to determine gastrointestinal transit time (GTT) in fish by comparing it to the inert marker method. The stable isotope method detects alterations of the normal carbon flow in a biological system by analyzing naturally occurring isotopes of carbon, contrary to studies based on conventional techniques that apply external markers to the diet to determine GTT through visual observation of the color change in feces. Therefore, 320 pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus juveniles were reared in 32 tanks under two different temperatures (25 and 29 C). The pacu juveniles received two different diets, one based on ingredients derived from C₃ photosynthetic cycle plants and the other based on C₄ plant ingredients, both containing titanium oxide (TiO₂) as a marker. After 40 d, the isotopic signature of the diets was changed, and the marker was replaced by chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃). In the isotopic technique, the feces were analyzed to determine the exchange in the isotopic ratio of carbon δ¹³C. Both methods found that GTT was faster (nearly 6 h) in fish at 29 C when using the C₄/C₃ feeding strategy and slower in fish at 25 C using the C₃/C₄ strategy (15 h by inert marker and 18 h by the isotopic method). In conclusion, GTT determination in pacu juveniles using the stable isotope technique exhibits the same accuracy obtained with the inert marker method at temperatures suitable (nearly 29 C) for the metabolism of these animals.     

Extensive dispersal of Roanoke logperch (Percina rex) inferred from genetic marker data

The dispersal ecology of most stream fishes is poorly characterised, complicating conservation efforts for these species. We used microsatellite DNA marker data to characterise dispersal patterns and effective population size (N_e) for a population of Roanoke logperch Percina rex, an endangered darter (Percidae). Juveniles and candidate parents were sampled for 2 years at sites throughout the Roanoke River watershed. Dispersal was inferred via genetic assignment tests (ATs), pedigree reconstruction (PR) and estimation of lifetime dispersal distance under a genetic isolation‐by‐distance model. Estimates of N_e varied from 105 to 1218 individuals, depending on the estimation method. Based on PR, polygamy was frequent in parents of both sexes, with individuals spawning with an average of 2.4 mates. The sample contained 61 half‐sibling pairs, but only one parent–offspring pair and no full‐sib pairs, which limited our ability to discriminate natal dispersal of juveniles from breeding dispersal of their parents between spawning events. Nonetheless, all methods indicated extensive dispersal. The AT indicated unrestricted dispersal among sites ≤15 km apart, while siblings inferred by the PR were captured an average of 14 km and up to 55 km apart. Model‐based estimates of median lifetime dispersal distance (6–24 km, depending on assumptions) bracketed AT and PR estimates, indicating that widely dispersed individuals do, on average, contribute to gene flow. Extensive dispersal of P. rex suggests that darters and other small benthic stream fishes may be unexpectedly mobile. Monitoring and management activities for such populations should encompass entire watersheds to fully capture population dynamics.     

Recrystallization behavior of cellulose and lignocellulose from Pinus massoniana

Summary In an X-ray diffraction investigation, the recrystallization behavior of ball-milled Chinese southern pine wood was found to differ from that of cellulose. The crystallinity of lignocellulose milled for a very long time and recrystallized by wetting in water did not decrease with increasing milling time as was the case with milled cellulose. In addition, it appeared that the presence of lignin tended to restrict the amorphous cellulose produced by milling from recrystallizing into Cellulose II, whereas it had no influence on the recrystallization into Cellulose I. These results were discussed in the context of the mechanism of the conversion of Cellulose I to Cellulose II.     

Limited response to nursery-stage mycorrhiza inoculation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Shorea</Emphasis> seedlings planted in rubber agroforest in Jambi,Indonesia

We transplanted Shorea selanica and Shorea lamellata seedlings that either had or had not received ectomycorrhiza (EcM) Scleroderma columnare inoculum, commercially available and prescribed as standard practice in nursery, into rubber gardens of different age and plot history. The objective was to assess whether or not absence of fungal inoculants restricted seedling survival, growth, nutrient uptake and EcM formation in the first 2 years after out-planting in Jambi. Inoculation with EcM fungi in nursery had only limited positive effects on growth in height and diameter or N and P uptake, but it enhanced survival in the period 6–24 months after outplanting in all plots. With or without nursery stage inoculation, S. selanica and S. lamellata can be used for enrichment planting or reforestation in Sumatra as the species respond well to high light intensities. Presence of up to five morphotypes of EcM confirmed the availability of inoculum also in second generation rubber agroforests. Internal transcribe spacer sequencing revealed no S. columnare could be identified from the ectomycorrhizal roots of S. lamellata and S. selanica.     

Do artificial and natural defoliation have similar effects on physiology of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. seedlings?

? Artificial defoliation is often used to simulate defoliation by herbivory and is usually considered a good indication of a plant’s response to a given type of damage. However, the findings of studies directly comparing the two defoliation types are inconsistent.

? Here, the short term effects of artificial and insect defoliation by larvae of Paropsisterna agricola on growth, biomass allocation and photosynthetic capacity of Eucalyptus globulus seedlings were compared in a glasshouse experiment. The artificial defoliation was carried out to closely resemble the spatial patterns observed for insect defoliation.

? Height and diameter increments were reduced as a result of insect defoliation, whereas artificial defoliation had no significant effect on height. Increased photosynthetic capacity was observed in response to both treatments, but the magnitude of this increase was larger in insect-than in artificially-defoliated seedlings. Significant reductions in foliar carbohydrate content and total biomass were noticeable in artificially-defoliated seedlings. Although the foliar carbohydrate levels also decreased across the crown zones following insect defoliation treatment, seedlings allocated a large amount of their biomass in the branches of the damaged zone.

? Despite our best endeavours to simulate insect defoliation in the artificial treatment, the latter may not reflect accurately the full strength of the effects. However, artificial and insect defoliation were similar in their direction of the responses they caused in E. globulus seedlings.

     

Untersuchungen über die Salzverträglichkeit verschiedener Pappel-und Weidenarten sowie -klone unter Labor- und Freilandbedingungen

The salt tolerance of various poplar and willow species and clones in the laboratory and field. The resistance of 10 black and 10 grey poplar clones and of 36 willow clones was examined by dipping shoots in a higly concentrated NaCl solution. All the black and most of the grey poplars showed high resistance. Only eleven willow-clones showed sufficient resistance. The studies are to be continued with enlarged material under various ecological conditions.     

Changes in structural and chemical components of wood delignified by fungi

Summary Cerrena unicolor, Ganoderma applanatum, Ischnoderma resinosum and Poria medulla-panis were associated with birch wood that had been selectively delignified in the forest. Preferential lignin degradation was not uniformly distributed throughout the decayed wood. A typical white rot causing a simultaneous removal of all cell wall components was also present. In the delignified wood, 95 to 98% of the lignin was removed as well as substantial amounts of hemicelluloses. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to identify the micromorphological and ultrastructural changes that occurred in the cells during degradation. In delignified areas the compound middle lamella was extensively degraded causing a defibration of cells. The secondary wall, especially the S₂ layer, remained relatively unaltered. In simultaneously white-rotted wood all cell wall layers were progressively removed from the lumen toward the middle lamella causing erosion troughs or holes to form. Large voids filled with fungal mycelia resulted from a coalition of degraded areas. Birch wood decayed in laboratory soil-block tests was also intermittently delignified. Selective delignification, sparsely distributed throughout the wood, and a simultaneous rot resulting in the removal of all cell wall components were evident. Scanning electron microscopy appears to be an efficient technique for examining decayed wood for fungi with the capacity to selectively delignify wood.The authors would like to thank Kathy Zuzek for technical assistance and Dr. M. Larsen, Forest Prod. Lab., Madison, for identifying the sporophores of Poria medulla-panis. This research was founded in part by a grant from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory and from the Graduate School, University of Minnesota     

Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) and poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica

The agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) under laurel (Cordia alliodora) and cacao under poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) were studied at CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica. An inventory was taken of the organic matter and nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) separating the species into their compartments (leaves, branches, trunks and roots). Studies of the litter and of the mineral soil (0–45 cm) yielded these results: Patterns of nutrient accumulation are discussed in relation to the characteristics of these agroforestry systems.     

Field attraction of Cerambyx welensii to fermentation odors and host monoterpenes

Cerambyx welensii Küster is one of the greatest threats to Quercus suber L. and Quercus ilex L. in Spain. Efficient control methods for this species are currently being tested, and the use of traps baited with food-related products for their monitoring and control has been proposed. Cerambyx welensii adults prefer to colonize old or decayed trees, in which cortical exudates frequently release fermentation odors. Fermentation-related compounds, such as ethanol, have been cited as attractants to various hardwood woodborers (as Cerambyx cerdo L.), used either alone or sometimes in combination with other host odors. In this work, we conducted field experiments to ascertain whether chemical blends mimicking fermentation odors were attractive for C. welensii. To this end, we used three types of traps (multiple funnel, cross-vane and single-funnel) baited with six synthetic blends including one or more fermentation-related chemicals (ethanol, ethyl acetate, 3-methyl-1-butanol, acetaldehyde, 2-methyl-1-propanol and 2-methyl-1-butanol), various food-related products (beer, melon and red wine mixed with peach juice) and host monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, α-phellandrene and camphene). At high release rates (5–11 g/day), various synthetic blends proved attractive irrespective of trap type. Our results contribute to understand the impact of volatile organic compounds in host selection by woodborers infesting deciduous trees. The results hold promise for optimizing trapping strategies to control C. welensii within an integrated pest management framework.