Spatiotemporal distribution of floral resources in a Brazilian city: Implications for the maintenance of pollinators,especially bees

Cities provide resources for the animals that live in them or their surroundings. There has been an increase in the number of ecological studies in urban areas, including interactions between plants and bees. Bees are pollinators that provide a vital ecosystem service to crops and wild plants. We assessed plant community structure in the campus of Universidade de São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, included in the neotropical Atlantic Forest biome, focusing on floristic composition, pollination syndromes, flowering phenology, and spatiotemporal distribution of floral resources for bees. Currently, the city is surrounded by sugar cane plantations. Once a month, from April 2011 to March 2012, we sampled plant species and individuals in bloom in an area with 500 m radius from the bee-rearing facilities of Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), totaling 78 hectares. We sampled 289 plant species of 73 families; Leguminosae was the richest family. Plants pollinated by bees predominated (67%), followed by plants pollinated by hummingbirds (18%). Melittophilous species flowered throughout the year and, hence, food availability for bees was continuous. The flowering of plant individuals that provided pollen, nectar, and floral oil was seasonal in all vegetation (except for nectar in shrubs), with peaks in resource availability in the transition from the dry to the rainy season, and also in the rainy season. Our results show that the campus is able to maintain bee populations amid a monoculture matrix, acting as a refuge. In addition, it provides a list of several attractive native plants to different pollinator groups, coupled with a phenogram, that can be used in the design and planning of urban areas.     

西瓜未授粉子房的离体培养

为了探讨西瓜未授粉子房诱导率的影响因素,以‘早春红玉’、‘西农9号’和‘小绿皇’为供试材料进行西瓜未授粉子房的离体培养,研究供体植株的黑暗热激处理、基因型、不同取样时间、2,4-D浓度和不同激素浓度组合等因素对其芽点诱导率的影响。结果表明:西瓜未授粉子房离体培养以33℃的条件下黑暗热激4 d效果最佳;以开花前1 d的子房诱导率最高为17.2%;3个品种中仅‘早春红玉’获得了再生植株,且在激素组合为4.0 mg·L-12,4-D+2.0 mg·L-16-BA+0.5 mg·L-1NAA时芽点率最高为15.0%;根据再生植株的根尖染色体数目,初步鉴定再生植株中有单倍体植株,还有二倍体和四倍体植株。     

Genetic structure and genetic relatedness of a hatchery stock of Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis) inferred by microsatellites

Solea senegalensis is a fish species in an early stage of domestication. A commercial hatchery in southern Spain experienced a dramatic failure in spawning and embryo survival, after incorporation into the broodstock of fish reared in their hatchery. To assess the impact of management on the stock quality, a population genetics study was made of adult broodstock present at this hatchery in 2000. The broodstock was composed of a group of fish of wild origin and two more groups from F₁ progeny. A set of eight microsatellite loci was used to compare genetic variability among the three groups and to establish the relationships between pairs of individuals within each group.Individuals from F₁ origin showed a substantial reduction in genetic variability when compared to those from the wild. There was a greater than 50% decrease in the number of alleles per locus corrected by sample size and 16% and 26% reductions in H_e values in the two F₁ groups, respectively. The degree of genetic relationship between individuals, evaluated by the relatedness estimator, rxy, and by graphical approaches, revealed a high proportion, almost 75%, of full-sibs and half-sibs in both F₁ groups, which might account for the reduction in overall variability. The high proportion of siblings also suggests a reproductive pattern in this stock in which few individuals breed successfully. This mating behaviour, along with factors inherent to selection and management systems, might be responsible for the negative effects on the reproductive capacity of the stock.     

Sensory evaluation of farmed sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo)

The first attempts at applying aquacultural techniques to sharpsnoutseabream (Diplodus puntazzo) have proved very promising.One of the factors to keep in mind when analysing the viability of a speciesforindustrial farming is that of consumer acceptance of the product, a variablethat can be measured by sensory evaluation tests. To that end, 107 participantsfrom a number of work centres were assessed with hedonic sensory tests usingsharpsnout seabream samples. For reference purposes, the tasting also includedgilthead seabream samples. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnairethat included questions concerning their preferences for any one fish. Weanalysed the sensory attributes of both fish species using a hedonic scale, andalso their acceptability (disposition to purchase) to consumers. The resultsproved fairly encouraging with a view to sharpsnout seabream large-scaleproduction. All attributes tested in the sensory profile analysis werepositively rated. About 60% of the surveyed population would consider buyingsharpsnout seabream at a price similar to that of gilthead seabream (10∈),and 85% found it to be pleasing to the eye. Aside from flavour, its texture,juiciness and fat level are the most important appraisal attributes. Efforts toimprove the organoleptic characteristics of the species should focus mainly onthese attributes.     

Reduced-calorie Avocado Paste Attenuates Metabolic Factors Associated with a Hypercholesterolemic-high Fructose Diet in Rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of reduced-calorie avocado paste on lipid serum profile, insulin sensitivity, and hepatic steatosis in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic-high fructose diet. Thirty five male Wistar rats were randomly separated in five groups: Control group (ground commercial diet); hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60 % fructose solution (HHF group); hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60 % fructose solution supplemented with avocado pulp (HHF+A group); hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60 % fructose solution supplemented with reduced-calorie avocado paste (HHF+P group); and hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60 % fructose solution supplemented with a reduced-calorie avocado paste plus fiber (HHF+FP group). The A, P, and FP were supplemented at 2 g/kg/d. The study was carried out for seven weeks. Rats belonging to the HHF group exhibited significantly (P?≤?0.05) higher total cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin levels in serum as well as lower insulin sensitivity than the control group. Supplementation with reduced-calorie avocado paste showed a significant (P?≤?0.05) decrease in total cholesterol (43.1 %), low-density lipoprotein (45.4 %), and triglycerides (32.8 %) in plasma as well as elevated insulin sensitivity compared to the HHF group. Additionally, the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase decreased significantly in the HHF-P group (39.8 and 35.1 %, respectively). These results are likely due to biocompounds present in the reduced-calorie avocado paste, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and dietary fibre, which are capable of reducing oxidative stress. Therefore, reduced-calorie avocado paste attenuates the effects of a hypercholesterolemic-high fructose diet in rats.     

Plant growth and survival of five introduced and two native/naturalized perennial grass genotypes exposed to two defoliation managements in arid Argentina

The field performance of the native Pappophorum vaginatum, the naturalized Eragrostis curvula and various cultivars of the introduced Achnatherum hymenoides and Leymus cinereus was evaluated as potential forage resources in rangelands of arid Argentina during the warm seasons of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. Plants of these grass species, obtained from seeds, were transplanted to the field in 2006, when they were 1 year old. During the study years, there were two defoliation managements: plants of all study genotypes either remained undefoliated (controls) or were defoliated twice a year during spring at 5 cm stubble height. Despite tiller number being lower (P < 0·05) on defoliated than on undefoliated plants, and total leaf length per unit basal area being similar (P > 0·05) between defoliation managements by mid‐spring, there were no differences (P > 0·05) in dry weight production between defoliated and undefoliated plants in all genotypes at the end of the second growing season. Plants of one or more of the introduced genotypes showed a similar (P > 0·05) or greater (P < 0·05), but not lower, tiller number per plant and per square centimetre, daughter tiller production, total leaf length and dry weight production per unit basal area than the native species at the end of the first and/or second growing seasons. These morphological variables were similar (P > 0·05) or greater (P < 0·05) in the native than in the naturalized genotype. Plant survival, however, was lower (P < 0·05, overall mean = 20%) in the introduced than in the native (>70%) or naturalized (>39%) genotypes at the end of the first or second growing seasons.     

Tanjungides A and B: New Antitumoral Bromoindole Derived Compounds from Diazona cf formosa. Isolation and Total Synthesis

Tanjungides A (1) (Z isomer) and B (2) (E isomer), two novel dibrominated indole enamides, have been isolated from the tunicate Diazona cf formosa. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including HRMS, and extensive 1D and 2D NMR. The stereochemistry of the cyclised cystine present in both compounds was determined by Marfey’s analysis after chemical degradation and hydrolysis. We also report the first total synthesis of these compounds using methyl 1H-indole-3-carboxylate as starting material and a linear sequence of 11 chemical steps. Tanjungides A and B exhibit significant cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines.     

Chemistry and Biology of Bengamides and Bengazoles,Bioactive Natural Products from Jaspis Sponges

Sponges corresponding to the Jaspidae family have proved to be a prolific source of bioactive natural products. Among these, the bengamides and the bengazoles stand out by virtue of their unprecedented molecular architectures and impressive biological profiles, including antitumor, antibiotic and anthelmintic properties. As a consequence, intense research activity has been devoted to these compounds from both chemical and biological standpoints. This review describes in detail the research into these classes of natural products and the benefits they offer in chemistry and biology.     

Polyunsaturated Aldehydes from Large Phytoplankton of the Atlantic Ocean Surface (42°N to 33°S)

Polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) are organic compounds mainly produced by diatoms, after cell wounding. These compounds are increasingly reported as teratogenic for species of grazers and deleterious for phytoplanktonic species, but there is still scarce information regarding concentration ranges and the composition of PUAs in the open ocean. In this study, we analyzed the spatial distribution and the type of aldehydes produced by the large-sized (>10 μm) phytoplankton in the Atlantic Ocean surface. Analyses were conducted on PUAs released after mechanical disruption of the phytoplankton cells, referred to here as potential PUAs (pPUAs). Results show the ubiquitous presence of pPUA in the open ocean, including upwelling areas, as well as oligotrophic gyres. Total pPUA concentrations ranged from zero to 4.18 pmol from cells in 1 L. Identified PUAs were heptadienal, octadienal and decadienal, with heptadienal being the most common (79% of total stations). PUA amount and composition across the Atlantic Ocean was mainly related to the nitrogen:phosphorus ratio, suggesting nutrient-driven mechanisms of PUA production. Extending the range of trophic conditions considered by adding data reported for productive coastal waters, we found a pattern of PUA variation in relation to trophic status.     

Developing scoring functions for soil quality to assess land suitability for irrigated wheat in Southern Algeria

Efficient land-use management could be optimized through appropriate advice regarding land suitability and achieving a reasonable yield while preserving soil and environmental conditions. The main objective of this study was to determine and define those locations capable of wheat cultivation with irrigation in the municipality of N’goussa (Southern Algeria). Expert opinion (EO) method was used for selecting minimum soil data set (MDS_-EO), where six influencing soil properties (sand, pH, salinity, organic matter, gypsum and lime) and other three key parameters (slope, land use/land cover, and proximity to roads and electricity network) were considered important for irrigated wheat cultivation in the study area. Indicators were weighted according to principal component analysis (PCA) loadings and summed. PCA revealed that the selected nine indicators are appropriate for accounting 73.63% of the total variance. Two maps of land suitability were created here (expressed as a soil quality index within a range from 0 to 1) from multivariate analysis and already known standard scoring functions (SSFs) by using two data sets (pure and scored). The distribution of soil quality index (IQI) showed that above 70% of the land was moderately (MS) to highly suitable (HS) for irrigated wheat. The estimation accuracy of soil quality classes has been evaluated using random forests (RF), having as a dependent variable the final class of land suitability used in each map. It was determined that estimation accuracy could reach 60% (pure data set) and 65% (scored data set) at 0.5 cut-off value for soil quality classes. Final prioritizing according to ranks of sensitivity index (SI) and efficiency ratio (ER) showed that IQI obtained from scored data set is the most suitable approach in soil quality assessment of arid areas. Therefore, it could be applied in southern Algeria for land management, integrated planning and environmental assessments.