scholarly journals Autotoxicity Hinders the Natural Regeneration of Cinnamomum migao H. W. Li in Southwest China

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolong Huang ◽  
Jingzhong Chen ◽  
Jiming Liu ◽  
Jia Li ◽  
Mengyao Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Concentration Gradients ◽  
Allelopathic Potential ◽  
Leaf Aqueous Extract ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Widespread Phenomenon ◽  
Natural Recruitment ◽  
Main Factor

Autotoxicity is a widespread phenomenon in nature and is considered to be the main factor affecting new natural recruitment of plant populations, which was proven in many natural populations. Cinnamomum migao H. W. Li is an endemic medicinal woody plant species mainly distributed in Southwestern China and is defined as an endangered species by the Red Paper of Endangered Plants in China. The lack of seedlings is considered a key reason for population degeneration; however, no studies were conducted to explain its causes. C. migao contains substances with high allelopathic potential, such as terpenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids, and has strong allelopathic effects on other species. Therefore, we speculate that one of the reasons for C. migao seedling scarcity in the wild is that it exhibits autotoxic allelopathy. In this study, which was performed from the perspective of autotoxicity, we collected leaves, pericarp, seeds, and branches of the same population; we simulated the effects of decomposition and release of litter from these different anatomical parts of C. migao in the field; and we conducted 210-day control experiments on seedling growth, with different concentration gradients, using associated aqueous extracts. The results showed that the leaf aqueous extract (leafAE) significantly inhibited growth indicators and increased damage of the lipid structure of the cell membrane of seedlings, suggesting that autotoxicity from C. migao is a factor restraining seedling growth. The results of the analyses of soil properties showed that, compared with the other treatments, leafAE treatment inhibited soil enzyme activity and also had an impact on soil fungi. Although leafAE could promote soil fertility to some extent, it did not change the effect of autotoxic substances on seedling growth. We conclude that autotoxicity is the main obstacle inhibiting seedling growth and the factor restraining the natural regeneration of C. migao.

scholarly journals Telomere length varies substantially between blood cell types in a reptile

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 192136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mats Olsson ◽  
Nicholas J. Geraghty ◽  
Erik Wapstra ◽  
Mark Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Telomeric Dna ◽  
Blood Cell Type ◽  
Widespread Phenomenon

Telomeres are repeat sequences of non-coding DNA-protein molecules that cap or intersperse metazoan chromosomes. Interest in telomeres has increased exponentially in recent years, to now include their ongoing dynamics and evolution within natural populations where individuals vary in telomere attributes. Phylogenetic analyses show profound differences in telomere length across non-model taxa. However, telomeres may also differ in length within individuals and between tissues. The latter becomes a potential source of error when researchers use different tissues for extracting DNA for telomere analysis and scientific inference. A commonly used tissue type for assessing telomere length is blood, a tissue that itself varies in terms of nuclear content among taxa, in particular to what degree their thrombocytes and red blood cells (RBCs) contain nuclei or not. Specifically, when RBCs lack nuclei, leucocytes become the main source of telomeric DNA. RBCs and leucocytes differ in lifespan and how long they have been exposed to ‘senescence' and erosion effects. We report on a study in which cells in whole blood from individual Australian painted dragon lizards ( Ctenophorus pictus ) were identified using flow cytometry and their telomere length simultaneously measured. Lymphocyte telomeres were on average 270% longer than RBC telomeres, and in azurophils (a reptilian monocyte), telomeres were more than 388% longer than those in RBCs. If this variation in telomere length among different blood cell types is a widespread phenomenon, and DNA for comparative telomere analyses are sourced from whole blood, evolutionary inference of telomere traits among taxa may be seriously complicated by the blood cell type comprising the main source of DNA.

An ecological explanation for hyperallometric scaling of reproduction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomos Potter ◽  
Anja Felmy
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Resource Competition ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Scaling Exponent ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractIn wild populations, large individuals have disproportionately higher reproductive output than smaller individuals. We suggest an ecological explanation for this observation: asymmetry within populations in rates of resource assimilation, where greater assimilation causes both increased reproduction and body size. We assessed how the relationship between size and reproduction differs between wild and lab-reared Trinidadian guppies. We show that (i) reproduction increased disproportionately with body size in the wild but not in the lab, where effects of resource competition were eliminated; (ii) in the wild, the scaling exponent was greatest during the wet season, when resource competition is strongest; and (iii) detection of hyperallometric scaling of reproduction is inevitable if individual differences in assimilation are ignored. We propose that variation among individuals in assimilation – caused by size-dependent resource competition, niche expansion, and chance – can explain patterns of hyperallometric scaling of reproduction in natural populations.

Allelopathic potential of Artemisia campestris ssp. caudata on Lake Huron sand dunes

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 1903-1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyeong W. Yun ◽  
M. A. Maun
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Sand Dune ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Test Species ◽  
Allelopathic Potential ◽  
Artemisia Campestris

Greenhouse studies were conducted to test allelopathic effects of Artemisia campestris ssp. caudata on seed germination and seedling growth of several sand-dune species and colonization by mycorrhizal fungi. The aqueous extracts of A. campestris showed no inhibitory effect on seed germination, seedling elongation, or dry-weight growth of plants at lower concentrations (10 and 50%), but 100% concentration of the extracts caused varying degrees of inhibition depending on the test species. The mixing of dry leaves of seedlings of A. campestris to the sand showed severe inhibition of Elymus canadensis seedlings. The percent germination of test species in soil from the rhizosphere of A. campestris was significantly lower than that of the control. The leaf area and dry weight were also lower but the differences were not significant. The aqueous extract inhibited mycorrhizal fungal colonization in roots of three sand-dune grasses. Key words: allelopathy, Artemisia campestris ssp. caudata, seed germination, seedling growth, mycorrhizal fungi.

scholarly journals The sources of sex differences in aging in annual fishes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Reichard ◽  
Radim Blažek ◽  
Jakub Žák ◽  
Petr Kačer ◽  
Oldřich Tomášek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Survival Difference ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Baseline Mortality ◽  
In The Wild

AbstractSex differences in lifespan and aging are widespread among animals, with males usually the shorter-lived sex. Despite extensive research interest, it is unclear how lifespan differences between the sexes are modulated by genetic, environmental and social factors. We combined comparative data from natural populations of annual killifishes with experimental results on replicated captive populations, showing that females consistently outlived males in the wild. This sex-specific survival difference persisted in social environment only in two most aggressive species, and ceased completely when social and physical contacts were prevented. Demographically, neither an earlier start nor faster rate of aging accounted for shorter male lifespans, but increased baseline mortality and the lack of mortality deceleration in the oldest age shortened male lifespan. The sexes did not differ in any measure of functional aging we recorded. Overall, we demonstrate that sex differences in lifespan and aging may be ameliorated by modulating social and environmental conditions.

scholarly journals REPRODUCTION IN CAGE POPULATIONS OF A POLYMORPHISM REGULARLY OBSERVED IN THE NATURAL POPULATIONS OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER IN FRANCE

Genetics ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 755-759
Author(s):  
Annie Fleuriet
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Rate Of Return ◽  
Rapid Rate ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Co2 Sensitivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Strong Forces

ABSTRACT Polymorphism for both alleles of a gene ref(2)P, which is a usual trait of French natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster, can be reproduced in experimental conditions. ref(2)P is a gene for resistance to the hereditary, noncontagious Rhabdovirus α, responsible for CO2 sensitivity in Drosophila melanogaster. The equilibrium frequencies observed in cages are the same as in the wild, whether α virus is present or not. The rapid rate of return to these equilibrium frequencies indicates that strong forces, which remain to be determined, are responsible for the maintenance of this polymorphism.

Phytotoxic effects of extract and essential oil of Eucalyptus saligna (Myrtaceae) leaf litter on grassland species

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliane R. Silva ◽  
Diana C. Lazarotto ◽  
Joséli Schwambach ◽  
Gerhard E. Overbeck ◽  
Geraldo L. G. Soares
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Aqueous Extract ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Electrolyte Leakage ◽  
Membrane Damage ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Eucalyptus Saligna ◽  
Allelopathic Potential ◽  
Grassland Species

Under Eucalyptus plantations in the South Brazilian grassland region, few plants establish, and allelopathy may be involved in shaping this pattern. We aimed to assess the phytotoxicity of essential oil and aqueous extract of Eucalyptus saligna Sm. leaf litter on grassland species. We tested the effects of E. saligna pure oil and extract on germination, seedling growth, H2O2 levels and electrolyte leakage of seedling membranes of Paspalum notatum Flüggé, Eragrostis plana Ness (Poaceae), Trifolium repens L. and Lotus corniculatus L. (Fabaceae). Essential oil and aqueous extract of E. saligna affected all recipient species, even at the lowest amounts/concentrations, inhibiting germination and initial growth, and also increasing H2O2 levels and electrolyte leakage of seedling membranes. Essential oil consisted mainly of monoterpenes and presented α-pinene and 1,8-cineole as the major compounds. The extract contained phenolics, and lower levels of these compounds in the extract were associated with decreased phytotoxicity. We conclude that E. saligna contains phytotoxic compounds in leaf litter that generate oxidative stress and lead to membrane damage, affecting seeds and seedling growth. In addition, we relate E. saligna phytotoxicity to monoterpenes that may be released from leaf litter by volatilisation, and phenolics that may be leached by rainfall. Our study indicates that E. saligna has allelopathic potential on the tested grassland species.

scholarly journals Simplified polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based sexing assists conservation of an endangered owl, the Norfolk Island Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata

1997 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Double ◽  
Penny Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Molecular Method ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Norfolk Island ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Recovery Effort ◽  
Main Factor

In 1986 a single Norfolk Island Boobook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata remained. As part of a re-establishment programme, two male New Zealand Moreporks N. n. novaeseelandiae were introduced, one of which survived to pair with the female in the wild and breed successfully. By 1995 the population numbered 12 or 13 individuals of which seven were second generation (F2). However, there were only two breeding pairs. As the 11 hybrids could not be sexed using morphometrics we developed a molecular method based on a recently described avian polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based sexing technique. The population was found to contain six females and five males. A scarcity of mature males was established as the main factor slowing the recovery effort.

scholarly journals Comparative allelopathic potential of metabolites of two Alternanthera species against germination and seedling growth of rice

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mehmood ◽  
A. Tanveer ◽  
M.A. Nadeem ◽  
Z.A. Zahir
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Leaf Extract ◽  
Alternanthera Philoxeroides ◽  
Infested Soil ◽  
Aqueous Extracts ◽  
Seedling Vigor ◽  
Allelopathic Potential ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Vigor Index ◽  
Aqueous Leaf Extract

A laboratory study was conducted to investigate the allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of plant parts of Alternanthera philoxeroides and A. sessilis and soil incorporated residues on germination and seedling growth of rice (Oryza sativa). Aqueous extracts prepared from different plant parts of Alternanthera species delayed rice germination. Alternanthera philoxeroides and A. sessilis inhibited rice germination by 9-100% and 4-49%, respectively. Germination of rice seeds was reduced with increasing concentration of aqueous leaf extracts of both weed species. Early seedling growth (root and shoot lengths) and seedling vigor index were significantly reduced by 5% aqueous leaf extract compared with distilled water treated control. Germination, root and shoot lengths, root and shoot dry weights and seedling vigor index of rice were drastically reduced by 3 and 4% in residue infested soil compared with residue free soil. The inhibitory effect of A. philoxeroides in terms of germination and seedling growth of rice was greater than that of A. sessilis. Five percent aqueous leaf extract and 4% residue infested soil of A. philoxeroides caused complete failure of rice seed germination. Alternanthera philoxeroides contained water soluble phenolics, namely 4 hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid (16.19 mg L-1) and m-coumaric acid (1.48 mg L-1), whereas Alternanthera sessilis was rich in chlorogenic acid (17.85 mg L-1), gallic acid (11.03 mg L-1) and vanillic acid (9.88 mg L-1). The study indicates that the allelopathic potential of Alternanthera species may play an important role in enhancing the invasiveness of these species and may suppress rice plants in the vicinity.

scholarly journals A 13C-NMR study of the role of Asn-155 in stabilizing the oxyanion of a subtilisin tetrahedral adduct

1997 ◽  
Vol 326 (3) ◽  
pp. 861-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy P. O'CONNELL ◽  
Regina M. DAY ◽  
Ekaterina V. TORCHILIN ◽  
William W. BACHOVCHIN ◽  
J. Paul G. MALTHOUSE
Keyword(s):  
13C Nmr ◽  
Chemical Shifts ◽  
Catalytic Efficiency ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Imidazolium Cation ◽  
Nmr Study ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Main Factor

By removing one of the hydrogen-bond donors in the oxyanion hole of subtilisin BPN, we have been able to determine how it affects the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme and the pKa of the oxyanion formed in a choloromethane inhibitor derivative. Variant 8397 of subtilisin BPN contains five mutations which enhance its stability. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to prepare the N155A mutant of this variant. The catalytic efficiencies of wild-type and variant 8397 are similar, but replacing Asn-155 with alanine reduces catalytic efficiency approx. 300-fold. All three forms of subtilisin were alkylated using benzyloxycarbonylglycylglycyl[2-13C]phenylalanylchloromethane and examined by 13C-NMR. A single signal due to the 13C-enriched carbon was detected in all the derivatives and it was assigned to the hemiketal carbon of a tetrahedral adduct formed between the hydroxy group of Ser-221 and the inhibitor. This signal had chemical shifts in the range 98.3–103.6 p.p.m., depending on the pH. The titration shift of 4.7–4.8 p.p.m. was assigned to oxyanion formation. The oxyanion pKa values in the wild-type and 8397 variants were 6.92 and 7.00 respectively. In the N155A mutant of the 8397 variant the oxyanion pKa increased to 8.09. We explain why such a small increase is observed and we conclude that it is the interaction between the oxyanion and the imidazolium cation of the active-site histidine that is the main factor responsible for lowering the oxyanion pKa.

scholarly journals Captive Hill Mynah Gracula religiosa breeding success: potential for bird conservation in Thailand?

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
MANEE ARCHAWARANON
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Species Survival ◽  
Conservation Problem ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Nest Materials

Hill Mynah Gracula religiosa is one of the most popular bird pets worldwide due to its ability to mimic diverse sounds, especially human speech. However, Mynahs have rarely been bred in captivity, so nestlings from natural populations are in large demand, resulting in many populations being threatened with extinction. Both subspecies in Thailand, intermedia and religiosa, are costly and desired in the pet market. Captive breeding is one of the most practical strategies to solve a conservation problem of this nature and this report describes a success in breeding Hill Mynahs in captivity. Mated pairs were given free access to food, nest-cavities and nest materials. Reproductive behaviour in captivity was not different from that in the wild, with the exception that breeding occurred throughout the year, even during the non-breeding season for wild populations. Although there are doubts concerning the reintroduction of captive-bred birds and whether successful Hill Mynah breeding in captivity is an economically competitive alternative to poaching, it ensures species survival in captivity as the risk of extinction increases.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document