Development Of Native Species Research Articles

Three interesting fungi from American bullfrog larvae (Rana catesbeiana) in Yunnan, China

American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is an alien invasive species in southwest China native to the central and eastern United States and southeastern Canada. After the 19th century, they extensively appear in aquaculture and natural environments worldwide as a delicious food but also creating a serious threat to the survival and development of native species. In the early rainy season, dead American bullfrog larvae floating on the water of unnamed ponds in Qujing Normal University, Yunnan Province, China were collected and brought to the mycology laboratory, and three interesting fungal strains were isolated from their intestinal contents. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out on the resultant isolates based on multiple gene sequences (ITS, LSU, rpb2, tub2, tef1-α), and results confirmed that the three strains belong to three species, namely; Boothiella tetraspora, Sordaria macrospora and Trichoderma virens. The morphological characteristics were also used to describe the fungal taxa. Photographic plates, descriptions, and phylogenetic trees that show the placements of the fungal species are reported herein.

Re-wetted peatland management through selection of native species in Sinarmas Forestry

Sinarmas Forestry R&D has initiated studies on development of native species in peatland since 2000. This paper describes progress of the research, especially in the last 5 years, which coincided with the implementation of the Government Regulation 71 of 2014 and in collaboration with Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), Forest Research and Development Agency of KLHK, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Deltares and Euroconsult Mott MacDonald (EMM). The main objective was to identify alternative local species apart from Acacia crassicarpa as pulp and paper raw materials in peat areas with water table of < 40 cm (rewetted areas). Series of different trials have been established, including progeny and species trials. This paper focuses on the species trials. The trials were conducted in Siak Regency, Riau, in a randomized complete block design with 5 replicates and plot size of 6 x 6 trees. Based on the survival rate and growth data, 4 native trees, i.e. Geronggang (Cratoxylon arborescens), Gelam (Melaleuca leucadendra), Balangeran (Shorea balangeran), and Bush Merah (Lophostemon suaveolens) were great potentials as alternatives to A. crassicarpa. Propagation procedures of these species, including tissue culture techniques, are currently being explored.

More is not always better: responses of the endemic plant Vellozia nanuzae to additional nutrients

Soil nutrients are one of the main drivers of plant species composition and distribution, mainly due to the role they play in plant survival and reproductive success. However, the nutritional requirements of plants inhabiting their native ecosystems are still poorly known. This is the case for most species of campo rupestre vegetation, which are found on infertile soils of quartzitic and ferruginous origin. The present study evaluated the effects of macronutrients and substrates on survival and growth of the micro-endemic Vellozia nanuzae (Velloziaceae). Plant mortality was about 95 % higher in soil enriched with macronutrients and almost 100 % in soils with added manure in the first 30 days. Individual plants from treatments with added nutrients had lower growth (53 % less) compared to individuals on natural substrates. In conclusion, Vellozia nanuzaesurvived and developed better on soil of its original habitat even though it is acidic and poor in nutrients. Our results show that more nutrients are not always better for the survival and development of native species that inhabit harsh ecosystems.

The potential of Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes: Erythrinidae), a Neotropical carnivore, for aquaculture

We describe key production-related traits of trahira (Hoplias malabaricus), an aquaculture candidate species, in a semi-intensive fish farming system. We quantified growth from hatch through grow-out at two stocking densities and evaluated fillet protein, lipids and fatty-acid content. We made 2430 observations of growth and morphometrics on 270 juvenile fish allocated to four fish ponds, two at 5 fish/m2 (90 animals) and two at 10 fish/m2 (180 animals) through 11 months. The fish reached an average length of 27.5 cm (±0.38) and 27.0 cm (±0.24), and weight of 263.0 g (±10.54) and 246.7 g (±6.89), respectively, at the low and high densities. There was no significant difference in weight (P > 0.05) between the densities for any of the parameters assessed, and hence the same growth curve applied to both densities (A = 292.9; B = 28.1; and K = 0.65). Standard length, however, differed significantly (P < 0.05) between densities, with K = 0.35 at the low and K = 0.29 at the high density. At both stocking densities, total lipids increased throughout the trial, while protein content decreased. Oleic acid (C18:0) increased throughout the experimental period, while docosahexaenoic acid and the n3/n6 profile decreased, with no differences among stocking densities. Hoplias malabaricus may prove a viable aquaculture species in Neotropical regions, where development of native species may contribute to sustainable aquaculture production.

Compromised root development constrains the establishment potential of native plants in unamended alkaline post-mining substrates

Mined materials often require rehabilitation or ecological restoration through revegetation as part of mine closure and relinquishment practices, yet there is a widening gap between the expectations of recovery and what industry achieve. The edaphic conditions of post-mining substrates present a suite of potential limitations to plant growth and may constrain the establishment capability and development of native species. We assessed seedling emergence, relative growth rate and calculated standardised growth estimates using 10 measured root and shoot parameters for six locally-dominant native species from different families and nutrient-acquisition strategies in a range of representative mining restoration substrates (topsoil, tailings, capped tailings and waste rock), examining their suitability as pioneers for ecological restoration. The establishment and growth of all six species in post-mining substrates were significantly compromised. Root development was significantly responsive to substrate, with measured root parameters on average 27% lower in capped tailings, 41% lower in waste rock and 67% lower for individuals grown in tailings compared with those grown in topsoil alone. Plant growth was compromised at different life cycle stages (seed germination, seedling establishment, early growth and development) and across a number of different traits, with primary edaphic constraints including high pH (>8.5) and insufficient available N. The highest-performing species on post-mining substrates was an N2-fixing legume, while lowest-performing species included those with ectomycorrhizal associations or no specific nutrient-acquisition strategy. Edaphic filters may be significant drivers of trajectory and success in rehabilitation and restoration projects at scales ranging from individuals (by limiting establishment or constraining growth and development) to communities (by causing species to assemble in a different manner than the desired reference community). If intractable edaphic parameters constraining plant establishment and early development such as extreme pH and a lack of available nutrients are not ameliorated, the restoration trajectory on post-mining landforms is likely unfavourable. Failure to adequately ameliorate post-mining substrates may represent a major liability for industry in meeting mine-closure requirements.

Cancri e deperimenti causati da Neofusicoccum parvum su rimboschimenti di Acacia melanoxylon in Italia

Abstract: In the spring of 2012, in reforested areas of Peloritani Mountains (Sicily, Italy) a severe dieback of Acacia melanoxylon R. Brown was observed. The main symptoms on both young and adults plants consisted of elongated cankers on the trunks and epicormic shoots, wilt of the canopy and dieback interested mostly aged trees. The woody tissues showed browning beyond the cankers. Sapwood and heartwood appeared decayed with a brown to gray-greenish discoloration. One fungal species was consistently isolated from infected woody tissues, which was morphologically attributed to Neofusiccocum sp. The sequencing of the ITS regions of a representative isolate allowed to identify (99% similarity) the species Neofusiccocum parvum (Pennycook & Samuels) Crous, Slippers and Phillips, teleomorph Botryosphaeria parva Pennycook & Samuels. The pathogenicity tests have reproduced symptoms similar to those observed in the field. N. parvum is the aetiologic agent of mortality of australian blackwood observed in Sicily and to our knowledge this is the first report of this fungus on Acacia melanoxylon. It is a generalist pathogen, cosmopolitan, present in many temperate areas, Mediterranean and subtropical. The older Peloritani Mountains populations of australian blackwood seem particularly susceptible to the pathogen, the latter favored by the lack of silvicultural interventions that generate interspecific and intraspecific competition, as well as the increase and spread of the fungus. To minimize the consequential damage is necessary to adopt sanitation measures that would lower the fungal inoculum and program substitutions of this exotic species with others that have multiple functions suited to environments (e.g., Chestnut) or encouraging the establishment and development of native species, such as the holm oak and shrub.

Impact of an invasive nitrogen-fixing tree on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the development of native species.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate soil biotrophs that establish intimate relationships with 80 % of terrestrial plant families. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi obtain carbon from host plants and contribute to the acquisition of mineral nutrients, mainly phosphorus. The presence of invasive plants has been identified as a soil disturbance factor, often conditioning the structure and function of soil microorganisms. Despite the investigation of many aspects related to the invasion ofAcacia dealbata, the effect produced on the structure of AMF communities has never been assessed. We hypothesize thatA. dealbatamodifies the structure of AMF community, influencing the establishment and growth of plants that are dependent on these mutualisms. To validate our hypothesis, we carried out denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis and also grew plants ofPlantago lanceolatain pots using roots of native shrublands or fromA. dealbata, as inoculum of AMF. Cluster analyses from DGGE indicated an alteration in the structure of AMF communities in invaded soils. After 15 weeks, we found that plants grown in pots containing native roots presented higher stem and root growth and also produced higher biomass in comparison with plants grown withA. dealbatainoculum. Furthermore, plants that presented the highest biomass and growth exhibited the maximum mycorrhizal colonization and phosphorus content. Moreover, fluorescence measurements indicated that plants grown withA. dealbatainoculum even presented higher photosynthetic damage. Our results indicate that the presence of the invaderA. dealbatamodify the composition of the arbuscular fungal community, conditioning the establishment of native plants.

Biologia reprodutiva de L. leucocephala (Lam.) R. de Wit (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae): sucesso de uma espécie invasora

The species Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) R. de Wit., known as leucaena, is originally from Central America. It has been considered a pioneer with high densities of individuals in its populations that could prevent the development of native species. The present study aims to understand the reproductive biology of L. leucocephala , synthetizing information about its reproductive success. The study was conducted in Trindade, central Brazil, from July to November 2012. All areas contained specimens in bloom. We selected four study areas containing populations of leucaena with at least six individuals with flowering. Observations were made of floral visitors and we did tests of first, second and third visit, and cross-pollination between plants, self-pollination and control group (without human intervention). There was a predominance of Apis mellifera and Trigona spinips as flower visitors in these areas. The flowers undergo senescence at the end of the day, however, there is a decrease in flower visiting by insects after 10 am. We found 342 visitors belonging to 12 insect species. After assessing the number of visits of pollinators and their influence on fruit production, we found that the number of visits of the main pollinator ( A. mellifera ) does not influence the production of fruits, showing the efficiency of this bee in its first visit to flowers. Leucaena leucocephala combines several attributes to be considered an invasive species, such as the efficient action of generalist pollinators as Apis mellifera , being able to produce considerable amounts of fruits and seeds that contribute to the potential dispersal and reproductive success of the plant. Keywords : pollination, Apis mellifera , reproductive success.

Genetic diversity and the utilisation of Acacia species complexes in agroforestry in Western Australia

Dryland salinity is a major problem in the agricultural areas of Western Australia, having significant detrimental impacts in both agricultural and non-agricultural arenas. Development of new woody perennial tree crops is an option for recharge control in the management of salinity and there is a focus on development of native species that are adapted to low-rainfall areas, with potential for commercial production. Acacia is an important genus for utilisation of woody perennials as there is a large number of species occurring in a wide variety of habitats, and many Acacia species are utilised throughout the world for a range of purposes. In Western Australia, the following three species are of interest for development for commercial utilisation in agroforestry plantings: A.�microbotrya, A. acuminata and A. saligna. All three species show a high degree of morphological variation and are likely to consist of several taxa. Lack of understanding of taxonomic entities and their genetic relationships will hinder the utilisation and development of these species. A combined genetic and taxonomic study has defined the morphological and genetic variation within the A. acuminata complex and identified several taxa. Similar studies will also be expected to define taxa within the A. microbotrya and A. saligna complexes.