Cold acclimation improves photosynthesis by regulating the ascorbate–glutathione cycle in chloroplasts of Kandelia obovata

As the most northerly mangrove species in China, Kandelia obovata may undergo extreme cold event stress. Enhancing the cold tolerance of this species is crucial to its successful afforestation. This study aimed to determine the resistance of K. obovata seedlings to low temperature stress by cold acclimation and to explain the mechanisms for alleviating cold injury. To understand these mechanisms, seedlings that were acclimatized and not acclimatized were exposed to 5℃/- 2℃(day/night)for 48 h.Results showed that low temperature stress reduced leaf photosynthesis of non-acclimatized seedlings by inducing oxidative stress and structural damage to chloroplasts. These phenomena were shown by increasing levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), O2-and H2O2, as well as decreasing enzyme activities in the ascorbate–glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle. However, cold-acclimatized seedlings had improved photosynthetic rates and efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) under low temperature stress. Compared with non-acclimatized seedlings, leaves of coldacclimatized seedlings under low temperature stress for 48 h exhibited higher anti-oxidative enzyme activities, lower levels of O2^- and H2O2, less damage to chloroplast structure, and removed 33.7% of MDA at low temperature stress for 48 h. The data indicate that cold acclimation enhances photosynthetic capacity by effectively regulating activation in the PSII electron transport and the AsA–GSH cycle to scavenge excess ROS in chloroplasts, while the latter is more important.

Development and Validation of 89 Novel Expressed Sequence Tag-Derived Microsatellite Markers in Blood Clam,Tegillarca granosa

Blood clam, Tegillarca granosa, is an important shellfish in Chinese mariculture industry. Investigative research in this species, such as genetic linkage mapping, requires a large panel of molecular markers. In present study, a total of 89 polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed in T. granosa using the sequence database of Life Sciences Technology 454 next generation sequencing technology. All 89 loci were characterized in 20 individual clams from a natural population inhabiting Yueqing Gulf, Zhejiang Province, China. The number of alleles per polymorphic locus varied between 2 and 15, while the observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity and polymorphic information content varied between 0.000 and 1.000, 0.102 and 0.921, and 0.048 and 0.886, respectively. Of the 89 loci identified, 32 loci deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium following Bonferroni correction. Thirty nine markers, which were shown to be polymorphic in a full-sibling family, were tested in Mendelian segregations. As expected, 32 loci were co-dominantly segregated in a Mendelian fashion. These novel developed microsatellite markers represent useful research tools for investigation of population genetic structure and genetic diversity in this species.

Effects of different types of nutrient effluent from shrimp ponds on the seedling growth of Kandelia obovata

Extensive shrimp ponds are located next to the landward edges of most of mangrove forests in China. A shrimp pond may influence mangroves by（1） routine effluent between pond and tide, and（2） dredging effluent from pond-dredging at least once a year. Our study consisted of two experiments to study the effects of these two effluents on the seedling growth of Kandelia obovata. One experiment simulated the effects of routine effluents.The other simulated four sedimentation thicknesses（0 cm, 2 cm, 4 cm, 8 cm） over mangrove soils by dredging effluent from pond-dredging, and revealed the cumulative effects of dredging effluents on K. obovata. At each of the three fixed salinities, i.e., 5, 15 and 25, routine effluent did not result in significant differences in each of the measured growth parameters of K. obovata seedlings. However, effects of dredging effluent on seedling growth of K. obovata were related with sedimentation thickness. Most growth parameters showed maximum values at sedimentation thickness 4 cm. The data indicated that K. obovata accelerated its growth under moderate sedimentation thicknesses and it was tolerant and adaptable to shrimp pond-cleaning effluent sediments up to about 8 cm in our experiment.

Microbial community changes in the digestive tract of the clam Meretrix petechialis in response to Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenge

Disease in clams frequently occurred over the last decade and has become a serious threat to the clam aquaculture industry and natural stocks.Mass clam mortality events were reported to be associated with the presence of opportunistic pathogen vibrio.However,the complexity of infection that occurs in the natural environment remains poorly understood.In this study,we smulated a natural disease outbreak by vibrio immersion infection to study the diversity and dynamics of microbiota in the digestive tract of clam Meretrix petechialis during the infection process.Dramatic changes in operational taxonomic unit richness and phylum composition of the bacterial communities were observed during pathogen invasion.In addition,we investigated the potential relationship between microbiota dynamics and host status during disease progression.Results reveal that,at the end stage of vibrio infection,interindividual variation in the digestive tract microbiota increased,as did the diff erence in individual health status.The moribund clams displayed signs of microbial community shifts to low diversity,and the microbial community was characterized by mass proliferation of a few operational taxonomic units.

浙江楠溪江渔业承包机制和资源保护工作的新探索

我国内陆地区山涧溪流众多,这种特殊的自然环境给渔政管理带来诸多难题。本文总结了楠溪江实施全流域渔业承包机制的失败经验,介绍了分段渔业承包方式、渔业资源保护与增殖方面采取的主要措施、制订的渔业资源保护实施方案及其成效等,剖析了全流域整体承包失败和分段承包成功的各种因素,以期对其他地区内陆渔业资源保护提供一些有益的借鉴。

The complete mitochondrial genome of the grey bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium griseum) (Orectolobiformes: Hemiscylliidae): genomic characterization and phylogenetic application

The complete mitochondrial genome of the grey bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium griseum （Orectolobiformes： HemiscyUiidae） was obtained, with a total of 16 755 base pairs （bp）. The mitogenome encoded 13 protein- coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs and a noncoding control region, a gene arrangement identical to the most common type found in vertebrates. All tRNA sequences were folded into typical clover- leaf secondary structure with the exception of tRNA-Ser2, in which the DHU arm stem was replaced with 12 unpaired nucleotides and formed a simple loop. In the control region, the putative termination-associated sequences （TAS） with hairpin-loop structure and the conserved sequence blocks （CSB） I-III were identified and considered to be associated with the replication and transcription of mtDNA. No repeat motifs were found in the mitogenome of C. griseum. On the basis of the mitogenomic data available in the Class Chon- drichthyes from both Genbank and this study, and the phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood （ML） and Bayesian inference （BI） methods, the results strongly support the basal division between batoids and sharks and the monophyly of the Superorder Galeomorphii, and confirm the phylogenetic position of C. griseum in the Subclass Elasmobranchii. This study suggests that the mitogenomic data are more robust for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships than individual genes in the Elasmobranchii.

Mechanisms on inhibition of photosynthesis in Kandelia obovata due to extreme cold events under climate change

Introduction:Mangroves that grow at the latitudinal extremes of their distribution are susceptible to extreme cold events.Successive enhancement of low temperature stress(seLTS)is a typical characteristic of extreme cold events.Low temperature stress can inhibit mangrove photosynthesis,which often inhibits the growth and development of mangroves.However,the possible reasons for impairment to photosynthesis of mangroves due to extreme cold events remain unclear.Methods:Kandelia obovata seedlings in a growth chamber were exposed to 5℃/−2℃(day/night)for 36 h(−2℃ for 16 h)with 12 h light per day at 600μmol m^(−2) s^(−1) photosynthetic photon flux density(PPFD)(a low temperature stress,aLTS),then the plants were transferred to the control condition(15℃/10℃(day/night)and allowed to recover for 5 days(R1).The other seedlings were subjected to low temperature treatment with a day/night temperature of 5℃/−1℃ in a growth chamber for 24 h.Then these plants were transferred to 5℃/−2℃(day/night)under the same light and climate conditions for 36 h(two low temperature stresses,tLTS).Following the successive enhancement of low temperature treatment,these plants were returned to 15℃/10℃(day/night)for another 5-day recovery period(R2).Results:Results showed that aLTS treatment significantly reduced leaf net photosynthetic rate(P_(n))and stomatal conductance(G_(s)),while increased intercellular CO_(2) concentration(C_(i)).Photosynthetic activity of leaves quickly recovered after the plants were returned to control temperature for 5 days(R1).However,decreases in leaf Pn were more obvious under tLTS treatment than those under aLTS treatment.This reduced Pn might be attributed to stomatal and non-stomatal limitations.Moreover,non-stomatal limitation played a major role in reducing Pn during tLTS treatment,as proven by reduced ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylase(RuBPCase)activity.This limitation also enhanced lipid peroxidation in chloroplasts,decreased sucrosemetabolizing enzymes and ratios of both chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b(Chl a/b)and chlorophyll/carotenoids(Chl/Car),and increased protease senescence.Damages of tLTS treatment to photosynthesis were insufficiently alleviated even after the plants were returned to control temperature for 5 days(R2).Conclusions:Successive enhancement of low temperature depressed successful recovery of leaf photosynthesis of K.obovata seedlings mainly by impairing pigment synthesis,antioxidant metabolism,and sucrose translocation,as well as accelerating senescence of endopeptidase.Furthermore,our results suggest that decreases in sucrose content in leaves might also account for increases in reactive oxygen species(ROS)in chloroplasts.

Recovery of photosynthesis,sucrose metabolism,and proteolytic enzymes in Kandelia obovata from rare cold events in the northernmost mangrove,China

Introduction:Understanding how mangroves respond to rare cold events has implications for both restoration and conservation under climate change scenarios.This study investigated the responses of photosynthesis and activities of key enzymes involving carbon and nitrogen metabolism at different ages of Kandelia obovata to a rare cold event in the winter of 2010.Methods:This study took place on Ximen Island,Zhejiang Province,China.We measured the physiological recovery of 2-3-,5-6-,9-10-and 54-55-year-old K.obovata trees after freezing injury in February and March in 2011 and 2012,respectively.Results:Chilling injury index and electrolyte leakage of K.obovata increased with increasing tree age in the winter of 2010,and electrolyte leakage in K.obovata at different ages in the winter of 2010 was far higher than that in the winter of 2011.The rare cold events significantly changed the recoveries of the leaf net photosynthetic rate(Pn)and stomatal conductance(Gs);ratios of chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b(Chl a/Chl b);contents of total soluble sugar(TSS),sucrose,free amino acid(FAA),and soluble protein;and activities of sucrose phosphate synthase(SPS),endopeptidase,and carboxypeptidase in K.obovata at different ages.These effects were mainly due to changes in the physiological mechanism in the 2-year-old trees.A clear decrease in Pn of the 2-year-old trees was observed in February 2011,as exemplified by reductions in ratios of Chl a/Chl b and chlorophyll/carotenoid(Chl/Car),as well as inhibition of the levels of TSS and FAA(osmotic substances).During recovery in 2011 and 2012,the activities of SPS and sucrose synthase(SS)were responsible for sucrose synthesis after the rare cold events in 2011,but only SPS activity was one of the main factors contributing to the metabolism of stachyose to sucrose without cold damage in 2012.Carboxypeptidase played a more important role than endopeptidase during protein hydrolysis after the rare cold events.Conclusions:The results suggest that the recovery of photosynthetic capacity in K.obovata was changed after a rare cold event,which is associated with pigment components and activities of SS,SPS,and carboxypeptidase,especially the seedlings.

Erratum to: Mechanisms on inhibition of photosynthesis in Kandelia obovata due to extreme cold events under climate change

Erratum Following publication of the original article(Zheng et al.2016)it was brought to our attention that there was a typographical mistake in figure 6c,whereby the ordinate title had an“e”between the words“Endopeptidase”and“activity”.Please see below for the corrected figure:This has now been updated on the BioMed central website.

High abundance and reproductive output of an intertidal limpet(Siphonaria japonica)in environments with high thermal predictability

The predictability of high temperatures is important for intertidal species for coping with thermal stress.To investigate the roles of high temperature and its predictability on the population abundance and reproductive output of an intertidal rocky shore limpet,Siphonaria japonica,we monitored the operative temperature,recorded the population abundance of egg ribbons and adults,and quantified the expression of heat shock protein 70(hsp70)mRNA on two warm-temperate rocky shores with different thermal environments.Abundances of limpets and egg ribbons in the hotter but more predictable(HP)habitats were higher than those in the relatively benign and unpredictable(BU)habitats.In the HP habitats,there was a strong positive correlation between habitat temperature and population abundance.For limpets living in the HP habitats,the expression of hsp70 exhibited a smaller increase with rising body temperature than for BU limpets,indicating the existence in HP limpets of a preparatory strategy in cellular stress response against thermal stress.Our results dem on strate that the predictability of operative temperature can affect physiological responses and population dynamics.The importance of predictability should be considered in analyses of the ecological consequences of climate warming.