Effects of no‐take area size and age of marine protected areas on fisheries yields: a meta‐analytical approach

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are often promoted as tools for biodiversity conservation as well as for fisheries management. Despite increasing evidence of their usefulness, questions remain regarding the optimal design of MPAs, in particular concerning their function as fisheries management tools, for which empirical studies are still lacking. Using 28 data sets from seven MPAs in Southern Europe, we developed a meta‐analytical approach to investigate the effects of protection on adjacent fisheries and asking how these effects are influenced by MPA size and age. Southern European MPAs showed clear effects on the surrounding fisheries, on the ‘catch per unit effort’ (CPUE) of target species, but especially on the CPUE of the marketable catch. These effects depended on the time of protection and on the size of the no‐take area. CPUE of both target species and the marketable catch increased gradually by 2–4% per year over a long time period (at least 30 years). The influence of the size of the no‐take area appeared to be more complex. The catch rates of the entire fishery in and around the MPA were higher when the no‐take areas were smaller. Conversely, catch rates of selected fisheries that were expected to benefit most from protection increased when the no‐take area was larger. Our results emphasize the importance of MPA size on its export functions and suggest that an adequate, often extended, time frame be used for the management and the evaluation of effectiveness of MPAs.     

The effects of starving and feeding on Dover sole (Solea solea,Soleidae, Linnaeus, 1758) stress response and early larval development

In the view of an urgent necessity to improve the quantity and the quality of farmed fish species, there is a strong need to improve our basic knowledge on the effects of first feeding during the developmental stages of fish larvae. High mortality, mainly due to food deprivation or inappropriate food quality, has been observed in many larval fish species, but knowledge about the morphological, biochemical and molecular processes related to this topic is still poorly understood. The understanding of the early larval ontogeny as well as the larval nutritional requirements and the molecular and cellular mechanisms elicited by fish larvae during food deprivation and starvation are thus of primary importance. At this regard, this study investigates, in Dover sole larvae, the effects of starvation and starving/re‐feeding procedures at a morphological, histological, biochemical and molecular level. The results evidenced that starved larvae progressively decrease in growth, lipid content, affected their gastrointestinal tract and muscle development and increased cortisol and heat shock protein 70 levels. On the contrary, starved and re‐fed larvae showed, after the restoration of a favourable feeding condition, a compensatory growth. In conclusion, this is the first study analysing through a multidisciplinary approach the effects of food deprivation on the development of an important economic species, the Dover sole.     

Effects of three esca-associated fungi on Vitis vinifera L.: II. Characterization of biomolecules in xylem sap and leaves of healthy and diseased vines

Secondary metabolites and host defense compounds were shown to occur in xylem sap, and leaves of Vitis vinifera cv. Italia and cv. Matilde naturally infected by the esca-associated fungi Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch), Togninia minima (Tmi) and Fomitiporia mediterranea (Fme). Samples of xylem sap and leaves were collected from healthy vines and from vines showing severe symptoms of brown wood-streaking caused by Pch and Tmi, or from vines with symptoms of both brown wood-streaking and white rot caused by Fme. Xylem sap collection was carried out during the early spring of 2003 and 2004, corresponding to the phenological phases: (A) cotton bud; (B) green tip; (C) leaves out; (D) stretched out leaves; and (E) visible clusters. In the present work we have studied the accumulation of biomolecules (pentaketides and α-glucans), host defense compounds (benzaldehydes, benzoic acid and cinnamic acid derivatives, flavonols, flavanols, flavan-3-ol derivatives and stilbenes) at different stages of grapevine development. Accumulation and changes in total phenolics and recurring phenolics, and of three phytotoxic secondary metabolites (scytalone, isosclerone and pullulan) were analyzed by HPLC. On comparing results for cv. Italia and cv. Matilde, it can be seen that phenolic concentrations are strongly related to the cv.     

Effects of three esca-associated fungi on Vitis vinifera L.: III. Enzymes produced by the pathogens and their role in fungus-to-plant or in fungus-to-fungus interactions

When the esca-associated fungi Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch), Togninia minima (Tmi) and Fomitiporia mediterranea (Fme) were grown in liquid stationary cultures, it was seen that they were able to live in media containing resveratrol (RES) or tannic acid (TA) as the sole carbon source and that the fungi were able to convert both compounds. Particular attention is paid here to detecting RES and TA conversion. Pch, Tmi and Fme were partially inhibited by RES or TA. Pch, Tmi and Fme produced extracellular tannase, laccase and peroxidase enzymes in liquid or agarized cultures, whether glucose was present or not. When colonies of Pch, Tmi and Fme were confronted, they showed spatially and temporally heterogeneous patterns of laccase and peroxidase activity. The results indicate the non-synergistic, competitive association of Pch and Tmi and the inhibition of Fme growth. Muconic acid, a well-known intermediate in a large number of lignin and phenol oxidative processes, can partly or completely inhibit the lignolytic agent Fme, but is tolerated by Pch and Tmi. An explanation for wood pigmentation patterns by Pch, Tmi and Fme is given.     

A comparison of nitrogen use efficiency definitions in Citrus rootstocks

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) definitions, commonly used in literature, are evaluated in response to nitrate availability in four citrus rootstocks, Rough Lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush) (RL), Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) (SwO), Cleopatra Mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort ex Tan.) (CM) and Sour Orange (Citrus aurantium L.) (SO). The application of diverse definitions determine different characterizations in N-efficiency among rootstocks. Nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) and nitrogen efficiency ratio (NER) determine equal level of nitrogen efficiency among all rootstocks. Total nitrogen accumulation (TNA), nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE), shoot dry weight (SDW) and total leaf area (TLA) response curves produce the same NUE characterization: SO and SwO were nitrate use efficient and inefficient rootstocks, respectively, while the RL and CM exhibit superior and inferior genetic potential, respectively.     

Improved protocol for Agrobacterium mediated transformation of tomato and production of transgenic plants containing carotenoid biosynthetic gene CsZCD

Improved protocol for Agrobacterium mediated transformation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Micro-Tom was developed to use in corporation of the carotenoid biosynthetic genes CsZCD (Crocus zeaxanthin 7,8-cleavage dioxygenase). From these experiment, a transformation methodology using explants from cotyledons cultured for 1 day on the medium with zeatin 2 mg/L, IAA 0.1 mg/L, carefully submerged in the Agrobacterium inoculum for 20 min, then concultured with the agrobacterium for 3 days on the same medium, followed by a transfer to the same medium with 500 mg/L cefotaxin for 3 days and then by a transfer to the same medium with 100 mg/L kanamycin and 500 mg/L carabenillin for 6–8 weeks and resulted in a greater than 20% transformation efficiency in the concentration of Agrobacterium OD600 = 0.2 tested. In this transformation method, no feeder layers were used and the subculture media was minimal. Among the Agrobacterium concentrations of OD600 = 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0, the best transformation efficiency, 20.87%, was obtained by using OD600 = 0.2, which was significantly higher than that of OD600 = 1.0. The presence of the inserted target genes was checked using a rapid and efficient PCR test. The protocol was successfully employed in the production of transgenic Micro-Tom tomato containing the carotenoid biosynthesis CsZCD under constructive promoter. This procedure represents a simple, efficient and general means of transforming tomato.     

Effects of three esca-associated fungi on Vitis vinifera L.: IV. Diffusion through the xylem of metabolites produced by two tracheiphilous fungi in the woody tissue of grapevine leads to esca-like symptoms on leaves and berries

Two naphthalenone pentaketides (scytalone and isosclerone) and α-glucans (pullulan) are produced in vitro and in planta by Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch) and Togninia minima (Tmi), two tracheiphilous fungi associated with the ‘esca’ disease of grapevines. The possible role of such fungal metabolites in inducing symptoms on leaves and berries was studied in a vineyard of Vitis vinifera cv. Italia located in southern Italy. During early spring, pruning off two to four branches per vine allowed samples of xylem sap to be collected. Vine bleeding, assessed as ml day⁻¹ vine⁻¹, reached its maximum at bud burst and stopped within 28 days. The total amount of sap collected from healthy vines was about a quarter of that from esca-affected vines. During the same period, the leaf water potential of diseased vines increased progressively (i.e. showed less negative values), indicating a dysfunction in water and nutrient supply to the new growth. Both fungi were isolated from the xylem sap and from the woody tissue of branches and the trunk of diseased vines. Conidia isolated from the sap showed a high germination rate (>90%). Bioactive concentrations of the two pentaketides were detected in xylem sap, leaves and berries at various stages of seasonal growth. Exopolysaccharides, including pullulan, were found in the xylem sap. Absorption of culture filtrates of Pch and Tmi, as well as weak solutions of purified preparations of scytalone, isosclerone or pullulan, on detached leaves and berries caused symptoms similar to those shown by the esca-affected vines in the field.     

Effects of three esca-associated fungi on Vitis vinifera L.: V. Changes in the chemical and biological profile of xylem sap from diseased cv. Sangiovese vines

A vineyard of Vitis vinifera cv. Sangiovese was surveyed for incidence of esca and xylem sap collection. Sap samples were collected from healthy vines and from those with dual infection by Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch) and Togninia minima (Tmi) or triple infection by Pch, Tmi and Fomitiporia mediterranea (Fme), during each early spring in a 3-year period (2001–2003). In order to analyse the possible trends in the climatic data, temperature and rainfall were assessed. At sap harvesting, aliquots of sap were assayed for phytotoxicity and extracted with ethyl acetate for phytotoxin recovery. Moreover, the exopolysaccharide (EPS) content was evaluated on several sap samples during the bleeding period. Conidia of Pch and Tmi, mycelium of Fme and their secondary metabolites were found in the sap of the esca-affected vines, indicating that the pathogens and their by-products together with some defence substances were accumulated and then translocated. Bioactivity tests showed toxicity of the sap from esca-affected vines to healthy detached leaves of cv. Sangiovese. The daily amount of sap, the pH, and the volume (J_v) and solute (J_s) fluxes were analysed as a function of the infecting fungi. Pullulan, glucogalactomannan(s) and arabinogalactan(s) are the main EPS in the esca-infected vines, whereas in the sap of healthy vines no traces of pullulan were found. Scytalone and isosclerone usually produced in vitro by Pch and Tmi were also detected in the sap of vines infected by Pch and Tmi or by Pch, Tmi and Fme. The endogenous phytohormone content of healthy vines evaluated by the cutting bioassay was different from that of infected vines. Four phenolics belonging to three classes e.g., benzoic acid derivatives, stilbenes and flavonol-glycosides were separated and identified by HPLC.