Contrasting mitochondrial DNA diversity estimates in Austrian Scutovertex minutus and S. sculptus (Acari, Oribatida, Brachypylina, Scutoverticidae)

Important insights into the evolutionary and demographic history of species can be obtained from inter-specific comparisons of patterns and from determing the degree of genetic diversity. Analysis of sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene revealed remarkable differences in mtDNA diversity estimates and the distribution of mitochondrial lineages between the two closely related oribatid mite species Scutovertex sculptus and S. minutus in Austria. Divergence time estimates revealed an age of approximately 48-74 Myr for the split between the two Scutovertex species and age estimates of about 2-3 and 8-12 Myr for the most recent common ancestors of Austrian S. minutus and S. sculptus, respectively. Genetic diversity was considerably lower in S. minutus than in S. sculptus. A clear geographic sub-division into samples originating from north and south of the Central Alps became evident in S. minutus, whereas no phylogeographic structure was found in S. sculptus. Together with a high genetic diversity this is suggestive of a panmictic population and exceptional dispersal ability, most probably facilitated by phoresy on birds. The lack of sub-structure with regard to habitat types in S. sculptus suggests that this species can cope with a wide range of environmental conditions.     

Limitations to using benomyl in evaluating mycorrhizal functioning

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) grasses compete for nutrients with ectomycorrhizal (EM) pine in the southeastern United States. Our objective was to determine if benomyl could be used to selectively inhibit the function of AM and thereby reduce grass competition in the field. The effects of Benlate (active ingredient: benomyl) in the greenhouse and field were evaluated. No effect was observed on pine inoculated with Pisolithus tinctorius in the greenhouse. Colonized root length of benomyl-treated Zea mays L. plants inoculated with Glomus sp. in the greenhouse remained static over time and the response was not dose dependent at concentrations of 0, 20, 60 and 150kg benomyl ha^–1 equivalent. In contrast, colonization of nontreated plants increased over time. In the field, a minimal reduction of grass colonization was observed following four applications of benomyl ranging from 5 to 20kgha^–1. We conclude that benomyl can successfully inhibit development of AM fungi under controlled conditions in the greenhouse with no inhibitory effects on the EM fungus P. tinctorius; however, in the field several factors may interfere with the effect of benomyl on AM fungi. These factors include: (a) the presence of ground cover which obstructs penetration of the fungicide to the soil, (b) timing of application in relation to mycorrhizal development, and (c) the application method of benomyl, a soil drench being preferable to a foliar spray. Received: 30 September 1996     

Relationships between salicylic acid content,phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity,and resistance of barley to aphid infestation

It has been suggested that salicylic acid (SA) is a signal in acquired resistance to pathogens in several plants. Also, it has been suggested that infestation of plants causes an increase in the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), a key phenolic biosynthesis enzyme. The purpose of this work was to investigate whether the induction of SA and PAL activity is related to the susceptibility of barley to aphid infestation. The induction of free and conjugated SA in two barley cultivars that differ in susceptibility to aphids was analyzed. Analyses of several physiological parameters showed that cv. UNA-80 was more susceptible to the aphid Schizaphis graminum than cv. LM-109. Salicylic acid was not detected in noninfested plants. Levels of free and conjugated SA in cv. LM-109 and of conjugated SA in cv. UNA-80 increased with aphid infestation, whereas the levels of free SA in cv. UNA-80 remained high under all infestation degrees. Maximum values reached in both cultivars were not significantly different. With respect to PAL activity, cv. LM-109 showed a significantly higher specific activity than cv. UNA-80, the more susceptible cultivar. The relationship between the susceptibility of a plant to aphid and SA induction and PAL activity is discussed.     

Chemical basis for the antifeedant activity of natural hydroxamic acids and related compounds

Natural hydroxamic acids and related compounds derived from the 1,4-benzoxazin-3-one structure show antifeedant activity against the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi. This antifeeding activity is based on the electrophilic character of the hydroxamic acid function, the opening of the hemiacetal function and the lipophilic character of the molecule. In addition, the antifeedant activity of the aqueous extracts of different tissues of Acanthus mollis (Acanthaceae) was determined. The activity observed is attributed to the presence of 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one in the extracts.     

Morphological and genetic diversity of Momordica cochinchinenesis (Cucurbitaceae) in Vietnam and Thailand

Momordica cochinchinensis (Cucurbitaceae) is native to South East Asia and is important for its nutritional and medicinal properties. There is little information available on morphological and genetic diversity, crop selection and strategic germplasm collection for M. cochinchinensis. In this study, 42 accessions of M. cochinchinensis collected from Vietnam, Thailand and Australia were analysed for diversity study both at a morphological and molecular level. Both morphological and molecular analyses were in agreement and clustered the accessions based on the country of origin. The markers investigated in this study could be used for future applications with samples from unknown origins or for gene tracking for important cultivars. The Momordica accessions were highly polymorphic based on the markers suggesting high genetic diversity. Therefore the results from this study will be important in future strategic germplasm collection, conservation, horticultural development and commercial propagation of M. cochinchinensis.     

Comparisons of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal species and inocula formulations in a commercial nursery and on diverse Florida beaches

For efficient use of mycorrhizal inoculum the effectiveness of the isolate used and the rate of application required for maximum colonization must be known. The objectives of this research were to (1) define the lower limit of inoculum density required for maximum colonization of Uniola paniculata in a commercial nursery and (2) evaluate the performance of a selected native dune vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) isolate versus a commercially available non-dune VAM (foreign) isolate on three diverse Florida beaches. An inoculum-dilution study was conducted in a commercial nursery with cutroot inoculum of a Glomus sp. that had been isolated from a Florida dune. Maximum colonization was achieved with approximately 1 propagule ml^-1 of growth medium. In a separate nursery study, 10 inoculation treatments (combinations of inoculum source and level) were established in the commercial nursery. Treatments included cut-root and sheared-root inoculum of the native dune isolate, and Nutri-Link, a commercial inoculum of G. intraradices. Colonized plants from selected treatments were transplanted to beach sites around Florida. At Miami Beach, after one growing season, the shoot mass of plants inoculated with the native isolate was approximately twice that of plants inoculated with the foreign isolate. At Katherine Abbey Hanna Park and Eglin Air Force Base there were no significant inoculum source effects on shoot mass or root length after one growing season. However, the native isolate produced a greater colonized root length than the foreign isolate in all plantings. The soil hyphal density was measured at Eglin Air Force Base, and the results showed that plants inoculated with the native isolate had more soil hyphae (4.33 mg^-1) than plants inoculated with the foreign isolate (3.65 mg^-1) or the non-inoculated plants (2.12 mg^-1). Even where there were no obvious shoot growth responses, mycorrhizal inoculation may have an important effect on dune stabilization, as soil hyphae are known to bind sand grains and improve dune stability.Publishedas Florida Agriculture Experiment Station Journal SeriesPublishedas Florida Agriculture Experiment Station Journal Series     

Effect of Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentration on Rice Quality: Nutritive Value,Color, Milling,Cooking, and Eating Qualities

Increase in the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO₂]) enhanced the concentration of carbohydrates in rice grains, according to results of a previous study. However, its impact on other quality traits is little known. To investigate the effect of CO₂ levels (375 and 550 μmol/mol) on rice quality, a field experiment was conducted with open‐top chambers. Elevated [CO₂] affected several nutritional parameters of the grain. Whereas the concentration of α‐linolenic acid increased, that of linoleic and γ‐linolenic acids decreased. For example, reductions of 9 and 28% were observed for linoleic acid in the brown rice and for γ‐linolenic acid in the husk, respectively. Phytic acid concentration and zinc bioavailability were unaffected. Whereas iron bioavailability decreased in the brown rice (22%), calcium bioavailability increased in the bran and husk (5–11%). The concentrations of essential amino acids were also reduced; for example, the amount of isoleucine in the white rice, tyrosine in the brown rice, and phenylalanine in the bran decreased by 40, 57, and 23%, respectively. In contrast, elevated [CO₂] resulted in improved grain whiteness (3%) and starch viscosity (11%), with no effect on the milling quality. These data indicate that increased [CO₂] has both positive and negative effects on quality, depending on the specific end use of the rice grain.     

Epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma in a guinea pig

A 4-year-old female guinea pig was presented with pruritic, erythematous, hypotrichotic and scaling skin lesions, mainly involving the abdomen and the hindlegs. Clinical abnormalities were limited to the skin, and the guinea pig was otherwise healthy. The dermatological diagnostic work-up excluded ectoparasites, dermatophytosis and an endocrinopathy as differential diagnoses for the pruritus and hair loss. An allergic dermatitis was under investigation when the general and skin condition deteriorated. A neoplastic skin disorder was suspected, and skin biopsies revealed changes consistent with a cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma. Pautrier's microabscesses and immunophenotyped CD3(+) CD79(-) lymphocytes were identified. Owing to the deteriorating condition of the animal and the unknown but most likely poor prognosis of this disease, the guinea pig was euthanized. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma in the guinea pig with characteristic histopathological and immunohistochemical features.     

Characterization of a Technosol developed from deposited flue‐dust slurry and release of inorganic contaminants

A flue dust originaly enriched in metal sulfides evolved as a by‐product of Cu smelting. The dust was deposited as slurry in unsealed heaps. It is characterized by very high contents of toxic metals such as Pb and Zn. The slurry is a source of soil, sediment, and water contamination. We studied a Technosol profile developed from deposited flue‐dust slurry by means of chemical and mineralogical characterization (SEM‐EDX, XRD, FTIR, DTA‐MS, XRF, Pb isotopes), by open‐flow and closed‐flow column experiments on contaminant release under water‐saturated conditions, and by geochemical modeling to evaluate release processes and to quantify aqueous contaminant concentrations. Besides ash particles and quartz, the flue‐dust slurry contains Fe oxides, silicates, sulfates, and sulfides (in varying states of weathering). In both column approaches, metal concentrations exceed inspection values. The concentration patterns in both experimental column approaches indicate near‐equilibrium mineral dissolution. Geochemical modeling reveals partial dissolution of sulfates and precipitation of secondary carbonates. Their precipitation prevents complete sulfate dissolution, which would have led to even higher aqueous metal concentrations and contaminant export. The combination of detailed material characterization, column experiments, and modeling allows for quantitative and qualitative estimation of contaminant release into the soil solution.     

Comparative Metabologenomics Analysis of Polar Actinomycetes

Biosynthetic and chemical datasets are the two major pillars for microbial drug discovery in the omics era. Despite the advancement of analysis tools and platforms for multi-strain metabolomics and genomics, linking these information sources remains a considerable bottleneck in strain prioritisation and natural product discovery. In this study, molecular networking of the 100 metabolite extracts derived from applying the OSMAC approach to 25 Polar bacterial strains, showed growth media specificity and potential chemical novelty was suggested. Moreover, the metabolite extracts were screened for antibacterial activity and promising selective bioactivity against drug-persistent pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii was observed. Genome sequencing data were combined with metabolomics experiments in the recently developed computational approach, NPLinker, which was used to link BGC and molecular features to prioritise strains for further investigation based on biosynthetic and chemical information. Herein, we putatively identified the known metabolites ectoine and chrloramphenicol which, through NPLinker, were linked to their associated BGCs. The metabologenomics approach followed in this study can potentially be applied to any large microbial datasets for accelerating the discovery of new (bioactive) specialised metabolites.