Composition and diversity of five major forest types in moist temperate climate of the western Himalayas

The present study was undertaken in five major forest types (dominated by Quercus semecarpifolia, Quercus floribunda, Acer acuminatum, Abies pindrow and Aesculus indica, respectively) between 2400 and 2850 m a.s.l. in a moist temperate forest of the Mandal-Chopta area in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. The aim was to assess the variation in composition and diversity in different vegetation layers, i.e., herb, shrub and tree, among these five forest types. Diversity indices, such as the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, density, total basal cover, Simpson’s concentration of dominance index, Simpson’s diversity index, Pielou’s equitability, species richness, species heterogeneity and β-diversity, were calculated to understand community structures. Dominance-diversity curves were drawn to ascertain resource apportionment among various species in different forest types.     

Reproductive investment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pseudostrobus</Emphasis> along an altitudinal gradient in Western Mexico: implications of climate change

Climate varies along altitudinal gradients and species performance may be affected in response to these variations. Climate change can modify these gradients and, at the lower limit of species distributions, individuals may become stressed and their general health and reproductive performance may decrease. Study and prediction of the effects of climate change on the distribution of species along these gradients is therefore necessary. Our model study species, Pinus pseudostrobus, is a widely distributed pine in Mexico, ranging from 1600 to 3200 masl in altitude. In order to explore changes in health condition and reproductive investment along an altitudinal gradient, ten reproductive trees were selected in each of four populations (at 2300, 2400, 2700 and 2900 masl). As a proxy of individual health, we conducted a rapid visual assessment for each tree, based on crown defoliation, dead branches and foliage discoloration. This stress condition index (SCI) ranges from zero to fifteen, and lower values indicate low stress and therefore better health conditions. We also evaluated reproductive (cone weight, number/weight of seeds) and progeny (germination/seedling growth) traits. In addition, the relationships between SCI and the reproductive/progeny traits were assessed. The lowest altitude population presented poor health, with higher values of SCI (mean ± SE = 6.3 ± 0.9) that reduced up to 4.8-fold in higher-altitude populations. Cone weight also differed among altitudes, with lighter cones in the lower population (mean ± SE = 38.2 ± 4.3 g), and 1.5-fold heavier cones found in the higher populations. In general, all of the reproductive/progeny traits differed among altitudes. The population of intermediate altitude (2700 masl) presented the highest values for all traits evaluated, indicating higher performance at this altitude. Finally, a negative relationship was found between stress condition and cone weight. Based on our results and climate change models and their predictions, an increase in physiological stress can be expected in individuals of low altitude populations. Furthermore, possible increases in pests and pathogens are likely to contribute to the decline of this population. It is therefore necessary to maintain efforts of stress condition assessment and population dynamics, as well as to permanently monitor the climate along altitudinal gradients.     

Identification of oyster-derived hypotensive peptide acting as angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitor

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a crucial role in the crisis of hypertension. Some peptides that originate from protease hydrolysates are known to suppress ACE activity in vitro and in vivo. Here, we investigated whether trypsin hydrolysate of oyster Crassostrea gigas showed hypotensive activity and ACE inhibition. The hydrolysate significantly suppressed systolic blood pressure and ACE activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats following a one-shot oral administration and a long-term feeding experiment lasting 9 weeks. Each hydrolysate from oyster tissue showed ACE inhibitory activity, indicating the hypotensive effect was due to synergism. One potent ACE inhibitory peptide, Asp-Leu-Thr-Asp-Tyr, was identified from the hydrolysate of the striate muscle, and the peptide exhibited hypotensive activity in vivo. Protease digestion analysis suggested that Asp-Tyr could be the real effector of this penta-peptide in vivo.     

Carbon source and trophic position of pelagic fish in coastal waters of south-eastern Izu Peninsula,Japan, identified by stable isotope analysis

ABSTRACT:   It is important to clarify trophic dynamics in marine ecosystems for management of the fishing ground. Organic carbon sources and trophic position of pelagic fishes in the coastal waters of the south-eastern Izu Peninsula, Japan, were examined on the basis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope distributions. The δ¹³C of the fishes was mostly distributed from −19 to −16‰ for nektonic fishes (13 species of adults and immatures) and planktonic fishes (10 species of larvae and juveniles), close to the δ¹³C values of particulate organic matter and planktonic decapods. These δ¹³C signatures for the inhabitants of the water column were in contrast with the high δ¹³C values (mainly −16 to −13‰) for demersal fishes of Scorpaeniformes and benthic polychaetes collected in the surf zone. These results indicate that nektonic and planktonic fishes depend on phytoplankton for carbon supply. The δ¹⁵N signatures suggest that the trophic position ranged 3.1–4.5 for the nektonic fishes and 2.9–3.7 for the planktonic fishes, premised on trophic level 3 for larval Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus . Thus, planktivorous fishes should be mainly assigned to trophic levels 3 and 4 in this area.     

Segmentation applied to weather-disease relationships in South American leaf blight of the rubber tree

South American leaf blight (SALB) is a severe threat to world rubber production. One way of controlling it is to set up plantations in zones not conducive to the disease. Such zones are known once a plantation has been set up, but few data are available on how climate affects the disease, especially in the Amazon region. With better knowledge of conditions that are favourable to SALB epidemics it would be possible to more accurately identify risk zones in Asia and Africa, continents that are still SALB-free. Based on a trial design involving detailed and frequent observations, and with a method rarely used in plant epidemiology, the segmentation method, the results presented in this article make it possible to list, in order of importance, climatic factors that influence disease severity under conditions where the climate varies little over the year.     

Hybrids of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Passiflora</Emphasis>: <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. gardneri</Emphasis> versus <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. gibertii,</Emphasis> confirmation of paternity,morphological and cytogenetic characterization

Two new varieties of interspecific hybrids of Passiflora have been developed from the cross between P. gardneri versus P. gibertii, both registered under the Passiflora Society International. Twelve putative hybrids were analyzed. Hybridization was confirmed using RAPD and SSR markers. Primer UBC11 (5′-CCGGCCTTAC-3′) generated informative bands. Primer SSR Pe75 has amplified species-specific fragments and a heterozygote status was observed with two parent bands 300 and 350 bp. The molecular markers generated have been analyzed for the presence or absence of specific informative bands. Based on the morphological characterization, we have identified two hybrid varieties: P. ‘Gabriela’ and P. ‘Bella’. P. ‘Gabriela’ produced flowers in bluish tones, bluish petals on the adaxial and abaxial faces, light blue sepals on the adaxial and light green on the abaxial faces, corona with the base of filaments in intense lilac color and white apex. P. ‘Bella’ produced flowers in lilac tones, intense lilac petals on the adaxial and abaxial faces, dark lilac sepals with whitish edges on the adaxial and light green on the abaxial faces, corona with the base of filaments in intense lilac color and white apex. The cytogenetic analysis verified that the hybrids have the same chromosomal number as the parents (2n = 18); the formation of bivalents between the homeologous chromosomes (n = 9) was observad, leading to regular meiosis, which allows the sexual reproduction and use of these hybrids in breeding programs.     

Genetic and morphologic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinochloa crus-galli</Emphasis> populations from different origins

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. (barnyardgrass) is an annual weed that is native to Asia and found throughout the world. The broad ecological tolerance and competitive ability of E. crus-galli makes it the most important weed species in rice. Genetic studies of plants are becoming increasingly common because reliable information is necessary to better understand population dynamics, occurrence of herbicide resistance, and demographic data. Echinochloa crus-galli populations from 34 different locations in Turkey were compared with respect to morphological differences and genetic variation. For morphological variation, five seeds of each population were sown in pots and grown in a screenhouse using a randomized block design. Morphological parameters such as germination speed, flowering time, leaf area, plant height, spikelet length, above-ground biomass, root dry weight and number of seeds were measured. Distinct differences among populations with respect to hierarchical cluster analysis were observed. Genetic variations among populations were performed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The seven RAPD primers amplified 55 bands whose molecular weight varied between 200 and 4000 bp. The percentage of polymorphic bands was 74.54%. Results showed high morphological and genetic variability among individual genotypes within geographic locations. Phenotypic and genetic variability among E. crus-galli populations would be influenced by agricultural practices, crop characteristics, geographic location and herbicide pressure. Differences between weed populations may affect response to chemical or biological control.     

Load behaviors of a prefabricated wood framing house during lifting and transportation

Lifting for handling and flatbed truck transportation to the job site are important processes during manufacture of prefabri-cated wooden construction units like mini homes and building modules. Significant damage can occur to sections or components of units during these operations. Although damage usually will not impair its structural safety, it is costly to fix and causes the public to perceive prefabricated wooden buildings as low quality products. Field observations and preliminary numerical models for prefabri-cated units subject to lifting and transportation forces are summarized here. Once fully developed and verified, models will support the creation of damage mitigation strategies centered on structural details indicating how units are to be supported during lifting and transportation.     

Genetic analysis of selected almond genotypes and cultivars grown in Turkey using peroxidase-gene-based markers

Peroxidase plays important roles in many stress-related interactions and catalyzes important reactions in various physiological processes. Since peroxidase played critical roles in the evolution of almond(Prunus dulcis Miller(D.A Webb) syn P. amygdalus Batsch), peroxidase-gene-based analyses may increase the understanding of evolution of this species. Peroxidase gene polymorphism(POGP) markers were used to determine genetic diversity and relationships among 69 Turkish genotypes/cultivars and 27 foreign almond cultivars by using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean(UPGMA) analysis. This study is the first evaluation of the use of POGP markers for diversity analysis in almond.Totally, 83 fragments were obtained from eight peroxidase primer pairs, and polymorphism was identified as 94 %.Similarity level among the genotypes ranged between 0.63 and 0.93, and all materials were distinguished. In general,Turkish and foreign genotypes were mixed in clusters since they share a common genetic background and gene migration among the sites. Clusters were not based on geographic regions except for some minor groupings. This study indicated that peroxidase gene markers can be reliably used to determine genetic relationships in almonds.