Long-term plant growth legacies overwhelm short-term plant growth effects on soil microbial community structure

Plant-soil feedbacks are gaining attention for their ability to determine plant community development. Plant-soil feedback models and research assume that plant-soil interactions occur within days to weeks, yet, little is known about how quickly and to what extent plants change soil community composition. We grew a dominant native plant (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and a dominant non-native plant (Centaurea diffusa) separately in both native- and non-native-cultivated field soils to test if these species could overcome soil legacies and create new soil communities in the short-term. Soil community composition before and after plant growth was assessed in bulk and rhizosphere soils using phospholipid fatty acid analyses. Nematode abundance and mycorrhizal colonization were also measured following plant growth. Field-collected, native-cultivated soils showed greater bacterial, Gram (−), fungal, and arbuscular mycorrhizal PLFA abundance and greater PLFA diversity than field-collected, non-native-cultivated soils. Both plant species grew larger in native- than non-native-cultivated soils, but neither plant affected microbial composition in the bulk or rhizosphere soils after two months. Plants also failed to change nematode abundance or mycorrhizal colonization. Plants, therefore, appear able to create microbial legacies that affect subsequent plant growth, but contrary to common assumptions, the species in this study are likely to require years to create these legacies. Our results are consistent with other studies that demonstrate long-term legacies in soil microbial communities and suggest that the development of plant-soil feedbacks should be viewed in this longer-term context.     

Primary lacrimal gland adenocarcinoma of the third eyelid in a horse

A 5-year-old Draft Horse gelding presented for evaluation of a large, fleshy, ulcerated third eyelid mass OD of 3 weeks duration. Complete ophthalmic examination, ocular ultrasound and skull radiographs revealed a large soft-tissue mass involving the entire third eyelid OD and extending into the ventral right orbit to the level of the globe equator. No other abnormalities were noted on physical or ophthalmic examination. Surgical removal via exenteration was performed 3 months after initial presentation. A lacrimal adenocarcinoma of the third eyelid was diagnosed based on histopathology. Concurrent asymptomatic intra-ductal and intra-acinar Demodex caballi parasites were found in the eyelid sebaceous glands, likely as an incidental finding. No tumor recurrence or metastasis has occurred 12 months after excision. To the author's knowledge, this case is the first reported primary lacrimal adenocarcinoma in a horse. Complete surgical excision was curative.     

Bilateral hydronephrosis secondary to endometriosis managed by endoscopic ureteral stent placement in a captive Guinea baboon (Papio papio)

Spontaneous endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, progressive and painful disease that affects a variety of nonhuman primates, including several species of baboons (Papio sp.). This case documents multimodal management of severe endometriosis in a captive female baboon within a zoological institution. An 18-yr-old, intact female Guinea baboon (Papio papio) was found to have an enlarged uterus. Fifteen months post ovariohysterctomy, scarring associated with endometrial tissue resulted in ureteral strictures, bilateral hydronephrosis, and azotemia. Cystoscopic placement of bilateral ureteral stents with fluoroscopy was performed and resulted in short-term clinical improvement. The animal's condition declined and euthanasia was elected 4 mo after ureteral stent placement. Severe endometriosis with secondary inflammation resulting in bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis, as well as concurrent cystitis, ureteritis, and pyelonephritis were confirmed at necropsy. Despite possible complications, ureteral stents can be considered a useful therapeutic option in patients with ureteral disease.     

Amphibian population declines in montane southern Mexico: resurveys of historical localities

Declines of amphibian populations have been well documented in the US, Canada, and Central America, but little is known regarding the status of amphibian populations in Mexico. In 2000, we surveyed 43 transects from 3 upland regions in Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico. We found 161 adult amphibians belonging to 39 species, representing only 19-48% of the anuran fauna known from these regions. We found one dead (Eleutherodactylus saltator) and one dying frog (Ptychohyla erythromma) from two different streams near Chilpancingo, Guerrero. Both frogs were infected with Batrachochytridium dendrobatidis, a pathogenic fungus involved in other declines of amphibian populations. We collected 368 tadpoles; 60 (19%) tadpoles from 9 different streams among the three regions were missing mouthparts, which is indicative of infection by chytrid fungus. We report additional data from the state of Chiapas, Mexico, that document declines, disease, and apparent extirpations from that region as well. Overall, we report 31 populations (representing 24 species) that appear to have been extirpated, including populations of as many as 11 endemic species that have been missing for 16-40 years and may be extinct.     

New prenylated benzoic acid and other constituents from almond hulls (Prunus amygdalus Batsch).

One new prenylated benzoic acid derivative, 3-prenyl-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-4-hydroxylbenzoic acid, and three known constituents, catechin, protocatechuic acid, and ursolic acid, have been isolated from the hulls of almond (Prunus amygdalus). Complete assignments of the proton and carbon chemical shifts for the new prenylated benzoic acid derivative were accomplished on the basis of high-resolution 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance data. All of these compounds except ursolic acid are being reported from almond hulls (P. amygdalus) for the first time.     

Does shelterwood harvesting have less impact on forest floor nutrient availability and microbial properties than clearcutting?

Chemical and microbial properties of the forest floor were measured in 4-year-old shelterwood treatment plots in the montane coastal western hemlock biogeoclimatic zone of British Columbia, Canada, and compared to those in adjacent old-growth and 4-year-old clearcut plots. Forest floor pH, exchangeable Mg, total C and total N concentrations were similar in all three treatments. Bray-extractable P was significantly lower in humus from shelterwood plots, exchangeable Ca was significantly lower in humus from clearcut plots, and exchangeable K was significantly higher in humus from old-growth plots. Indices of available C (basal respiration rate, microbial biomass and metabolic quotient) were significantly higher in old-growth plots than in the two harvested treatment plots. The relative increase in maximum microbial metabolic rate due to the addition of organic nutrients was significantly greater in clearcut plots. Principal component analysis (PCA) ordination of humus samples based on C source utilization patterns of microbial communities (i.e., Biolog assay) showed distinctive clustering by treatment, although indices of substrate richness, evenness and diversity were the same in all three treatments. The relative utilization rates of substrates with the highest factor loadings on PCA axes 1 and 2 were dissimilar in each treatment. We conclude that forest floors can develop under shelterwood harvested stands to exhibit chemical and microbial properties atypical of either clearcut or old-growth plots.     

Sphingolipid and other constituents from almond nuts (Prunus amygdalus Batsch)

One sphingolipid, 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3R,4E,8Z)-2-[(2R)-2-hydroxyhexadecanoylamino]-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol, and four other constituents, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol, uridine, and adenosine, have been isolated from the nuts of almond (Prunus amygdalus). Complete assignments of the proton and carbon chemical shifts for the sphingolipid were accomplished on the basis of high-resolution 1D and 2D NMR data. All of these compounds are being reported from almond nuts (P. amygdalus)for the first time.