High Rates Of Water Loss Research Articles

OsERF71 confers drought tolerance via modulating ABA signaling and proline biosynthesis

Plants have evolved multiple protective strategies to adapt to adverse environmental conditions. Upland rice (UR) has evolved as a “drought-resistant type”. However, little is known about genes or mechanisms in UR that underlying drought tolerance at the molecular level. Here we report isolation and functional characterization of the ERF gene, OsERF71, from the UR variety, IRAT109. The expression of OsERF71 was induced by abscisic acid (ABA) and various abiotic stresses preferentially in IRAT109 under ABA, dehydration, and polyethyleneglycol (PEG) treatments. OsERF71 was verified as a nuclear-localized protein and had transcriptional activity in yeast cells. Overexpression of the OsERF71 in Nipponbare demonstrated a significant increase in tolerance to drought stress and a reduced rate of water loss. In contrast, OsERF71 interference lines were sensitive to drought stress and exhibited a higher rate of water loss. OsERF71-overexpressing lines also showed enhanced tolerance to high salinity. Moreover, OsERF71 regulated the expression of several ABA- responsive and proline biosynthesis genes under drought stress, resulting in enhanced sensitivity to exogenous ABA treatment and proline accumulation. Accordingly, we suggest that OsERF71 plays a positive role in drought stress tolerance by increasing the expression of genes associated with ABA signaling and proline biosynthesis under stress.

SUGAR BIOSYNTHESIS IN VANILLA PLANTS AND PHALAENOPSIS SEEDLINGS AFTER APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS

In tropical country, vanilla encounters two main environmental conditions, wet and dry seasons. In the wet seasons when the amount of water available favours high growth rate, plants acquire more nutrients. However during dry seasons when water uptake via the root is limited and water loss from the shoot is increasing, vanilla will experience severe desiccations. In other cases, under condition of culture in bottle, phalaenopsis seedlings develop a very thin cuticle layers. These seedlings will experience a high rate of water loss when it is then transferred into ex vitro environmental conditions. Since mineral nutrient could decrease water potential in plants and enhanced by water loss, application of proper fertilizer into these vanilla plants and phalaenopsis seedling should not enhance the decreasing of water potential which could impair physiological mechanism. So, in order to ascertain nutrient requirement for these plants, two separate experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, vanilla plants grown in plantation were added 9.25, 1.1 and 4.6 g/plant Urea, TSP and KCL respectively. This experiment was repeated using different plants with application of fertilizer in higher doses; 18.5, 2.2 and 9.2 g/plant for Urea, TSPand KCl, respectively. In order to examine the capacity of these plants to synthesize sugar, samples were then harvested in the period after fertilizer application, i.e. at day 0, 11 and 24. In the second experiments, phalaenopsis seedlings were sprayed every 1-2 days with liquinox and rosasol-N fertilizer using factorial experimental design.. In order to examine the effect of the fertilizer on sugar biosynthesis, leaves of these plants were harvested at day 132. These experiments showed that addition of fertilizer into vanilla plants increased sugar content but addition of fertilizer into phalaenopsis seedling decreased sugar content. It is concluded that fertilizer applied into plants undergoing desiccation impair sugar biosynthesis.

Elevated ozone concentration decreases whole-plant hydraulic conductance and disturbs water use regulation in soybean plants.

Elevated tropospheric ozone (O3 ) concentration has been shown to affect many aspects of plant performance including detrimental effects on leaf photosynthesis and plant growth. However, it is not known whether such changes are accompanied by concomitant responses in plant hydraulic architecture and water relations, which would have great implications for plant growth and survival in face of unfavorable water conditions. A soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivar commonly used in Northeast China was exposed to non-filtered air (NF, averaged 24.0nl l-1 ) and elevated O3 concentrations (eO3 , 40 nl l-1 supplied with NF air) in six open-top chambers for 50 days. The eO3 treatment resulted in a significant decrease in whole-plant hydraulic conductance that is mainly attributable to the reduced hydraulic conductance of the root system and the leaflets, while stem and leaf petiole hydraulic conductance showed no significant response to eO3 . Stomatal conductance of plants grown under eO3 was lower during mid-morning but significantly higher at midday, which resulted in substantially more negative daily minimum water potentials. Moreover, excised leaves from the eO3 treated plants showed significantly higher rates of water loss, suggesting a lower ability to withhold water when water supply is impeded. Our results indicate that, besides the direct detrimental effects of eO3 on photosynthetic carbon assimilation, its influences on hydraulic architecture and water relations may also negatively affect O3 -sensitive crops by deteriorating the detrimental effects of unfavorable water conditions.

Effects of Rainfall-Induced Topsoil Structure Changes on Root-Zone Moisture Regime during the Dry Period

Rainfall erosion and subsequent intermittent drought are serious barriers for agricultural production in the subtropical red soil region of China. Although it is widely recognized that rainfall-induced soil structure degradation reduced soil water storage and water-holding capacity, the effects of variation of the rainfall-induced topsoil structure on the subsequent soil water regime during the dry period is still rarely considered. The objective of this study was to ascertain the way of rainfall-induced topsoil structure changes on the subsequent soil water regime during the dry period. In a three-year-long experiment, six practices (CK, only crop; SM, straw mulching; PAM, polyacrylamide surface application; B, contour Bahia-grass strip; SPAM, straw mulching and polyacrylamide surface application; and BPAM, contour Bahia-grass strip and polyacrylamide surface application) were conducted at an 8° farmland with planting summer maize resulting in different topsoil structure and root-zone moisture, to establish and reveal the quantitatively relationship between the factors of topsoil structure and soil drought. Rainfall erosion significantly increased the soil crust coverage, and decreased the WSA0.25, 0–30 mm soil porosity and mean pore size. There was no significant difference during the raining stage of root-zone water storage between CK and other practices. An index of soil drought intensity (I) and degree (D) was established using soil water loss rate and soil drought severity. The larger value of I means a higher rate of water loss. The larger value of D means more severe drought. During the dry period, I and D were significantly higher in CK than in other practices. I and D had significantly positively correlation with the crust size and crust coverage, and negatively with WSA0.25, 15–30 mm soil porosity and mean pore size. Among of soil structure factors, the soil porosity had the largest effect on I and D. The rainfall-induced topsoil structure changes greatly deteriorated the root-zone regime during the dry period mainly due to significant increasing soil water loss but little improving the raining stage of soil water storage. Straw mulching had greater effects than other practices in alleviating rainfall-induced erosion and intermittent drought, and could be a better strategy applied for this region.

Using eco-physiological traits to understand the realized niche: the role of desiccation tolerance in Chagas disease vectors.

Small ectotherms, such as insects, with high surface area-to-volume ratiosare usually at risk of dehydration in arid environments. We hypothesize that desiccation tolerance in insects could be reflected in their distribution, which is limited by areas with high relative values of water vapor pressure deficit (VPD) (e.g., hot and dry). The main goal of this study was to explore whether incorporation of eco-physiological traits such as desiccation tolerance in arid environments can improve our understanding of species distribution models (SDM). We use a novel eco-physiological approach to understand the distribution and the potential overlap with their fundamental niche in triatomine bugs, Chagas disease vectors. The desiccation dimension for T. infestans, T. delpontei, T. dimidiata, and T. sordida niches seems to extend to very dry areas. For T. vitticeps, xeric areas seem to limit the geographical range of their realized niche. The maximum VPD limits the western and southern distributions of T. vitticeps, T. delpontei, and T. patagonica. All species showed high tolerance to desiccation with survival times (35°C-RH~15%) ranging from 24 to 38days, except for T. dimidiata (9days), which can be explained by a higher water-loss rate, due to a higher cuticular permeability along with a higher critical water content. This approach indicates that most of these triatomine bugs could be exploiting the dryness dimension of their fundamental niche. Incorporating such species-specific traits in studies of distribution, range, and limits under scenarios of changing climate could enhance predictions of movement of disease-causing vectors into novel regions.

Analysis of the Role of the Drought-Induced Gene DRI15 and Salinity-Induced Gene SI1 in Alternanthera philoxeroides Plasticity Using a Virus-Based Gene Silencing Tool.

Alternanthera philoxeroides is a notoriously invasive weed that can readily adapt to different environmental conditions. Control of this weed is difficult, and it spreads easily and causes damage to native habitats and agriculture. In this study, our goal was to investigate the molecular mechanisms that lead to the ability of A. philoxeroides to invade new habitats, to adapt to environmental stresses, and to cause damage. We developed a simple and highly effective potato virus X-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach. The VIGS approach was first used to silence the phytoene desaturase gene, which resulted in the expected photo-bleaching phenotype. Next, the VIGS approach was used to silence two additional genes, drought-induced protein gene 15 (ApDRI15) and salinity-induced protein gene 1 (ApSI1). When ApDRI15 was knocked down, the plants were more sensitive to drought stress than the control plants, with smaller leaves, shorter internodes, and lower biomass. The ApDRI15-silenced plants had lower relative water content, lower free proline levels, and higher water loss rates than the control. Silencing of ApSI1 significantly decreased tolerance to salinity, and the ApSI1-silenced plants were withered and smaller. These results indicate that the pgR107 VIGS approach is a simple and highly effective tool for dissecting gene function in A. philoxeroides. Further experiments with the VIGS approach will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the adaptability and plasticity of A. philoxeroides and improve our ability to combat the damage caused by this weed.

Fine Mapping of a Gene (ER4.1) that Causes Epidermal Reticulation of Tomato Fruit and Characterization of the Associated Transcriptome.

The hydrophobic cuticle that covers the surface of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit plays key roles in development and protection against biotic and abiotic stresses, including water loss, mechanical damage, UV radiation, pathogens, and pests. However, many details of the genes and regulatory mechanisms involved in cuticle biosynthesis in fleshy fruits are not well understood. In this study, we describe a novel tomato fruit phenotype, characterized by epidermal reticulation (ER) of green fruit and a higher water loss rate than wild type (WT) fruit. The ER phenotype is controlled by a single gene, ER4.1, derived from an introgressed chromosomal segment from the wild tomato species S. pennellii (LA0716). We performed fine mapping of the single dominant gene to an ~300 kb region and identified Solyc04g082540, Solyc04g082950, Solyc04g082630, and Solyc04g082910as potential candidate genes for the ER4.1 locus, based on comparative RNA-seq analysis of ER and WT fruit peels. In addition, the transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression levels of genes involved in cutin, wax and flavonoid biosynthesis were altered in the ER fruit compared with WT. This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms and metabolism of the fruit cuticle.

Biochemical degradation and physical migration of polyphenolic compounds in osmotic dehydrated blueberries with pulsed electric field and thermal pretreatments

Fresh blueberries were pretreated by pulsed electric fields (PEF) or thermal pretreatment and then were subject to osmotic dehydration. The changes in contents of anthocyanins, predominantly phenolic acids and flavonols, total phenolics, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and antioxidant activity in the blueberry samples during pretreatment and osmotic dehydration were investigated. Biochemical degradation and physical migration of these nutritive compounds from fruits to osmotic solutions were observed during the pretreatments and osmotic dehydration. PEF pretreated samples had the least degradation loss but the most migration loss of these compounds compared to thermally pretreated and control samples. Higher rates of water loss and solid gain during osmotic dehydration were also obtained by PEF pretreatment, reducing the dehydration time from 130 to 48h. PEF pretreated and dehydrated fruits showed superior appearance to thermally pretreated and control samples. Therefore, PEF pretreatment is a preferred technology that balances nutritive quality, appearance, and dehydration rate.

A Dual Role for the OsK5.2 Ion Channel in Stomatal Movements and K+ Loading into Xylem Sap.

The roles of potassium channels from the Shaker family in stomatal movements have been investigated by reverse genetics analyses in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), but corresponding information is lacking outside this model species. Rice (Oryza sativa) and other cereals possess stomata that are more complex than those of Arabidopsis. We examined the role of the outward Shaker K+ channel gene OsK5.2. Expression of the OsK5.2 gene (GUS reporter strategy) was observed in the whole stomatal complex (guard cells and subsidiary cells), root vasculature, and root cortex. In stomata, loss of OsK5.2 functional expression resulted in lack of time-dependent outward potassium currents in guard cells, higher rates of water loss through transpiration, and severe slowdown of stomatal closure. In line with the expression of OsK5.2 in the plant vasculature, mutant plants displayed a reduced K+ translocation from the root system toward the leaves via the xylem. The comparison between rice and Arabidopsis show that despite the strong conservation of Shaker family in plants, substantial differences can exist between the physiological roles of seemingly orthologous genes, as xylem loading depends on SKOR and stomatal closure on GORK in Arabidopsis, whereas both functions are executed by the single OsK5.2 Shaker in rice.

Water and Nutrient Uptake Efficiency in Containerized Production of Fern Leaf Lavender Irrigated with Saline Water

The scarcity of water in the Mediterranean area has frequently led to the use of saline water for irrigation. Container grown ornamental production has relatively high rates of water and nutrient loss from fertigation. A better understanding of water and nutrient use efficiency with water that has elevated levels of saline could reduce runoff water and its environmental impact. Fern leaf lavender (Lavandula multifida) plants were grown for 8 weeks in plastic containers with a sphagnum peatmoss and perlite substrate (80:20 by volume) to evaluate the effect of saline water [2.0 (T1 or control), 4.5 (T2), or 7.5 (T3) dS·m−1] on water and nutrient uptake efficiency. Leachate was collected to determine runoff volume and composition which included nitrate-nitrogen (NO3−-N), phosphate-phosphorus (PO42−-P), and potassium (K+) concentration. Plant dry weight (DW) and nutrient content were determined in plants at the beginning and at the end of the experiment to establish the nutrient balance. Increasing salinity levels of irrigation water did not significantly reduce either the plant DW or the water use efficiency (WUE). Based on nutrient balance, the increasing salinity (2.0 to 7.5 dS·m−1) affected the plant nutrient uptake efficiency, which decreased 28% for N, increased 26% for P from the lowest to highest sodium chloride levels; whereas K did not show a clear trend. Nutrient runoff increased (28% N, 9% P, and 27% K) to the environment from the lowest to highest sodium chloride levels.

Overexpression of TaNAC2D Displays Opposite Responses to Abiotic Stresses between Seedling and Mature Stage of Transgenic Arabidopsis.

Environmental stresses frequently affect plant growth and development, and many genes have been found to be induced by unfavorable environmental conditions. Here, we reported the biological functions of TaNAC2D, a stress-related NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) gene from wheat. TaNAC2D showed transcriptional activator activity in yeast. TaNAC2D-GFP fusion protein was localized in the nucleus of wheat mesophyll protoplasts. TaNAC2D transcript abundance was significantly induced by NaCl, PEG6000, and abscisic acid (ABA) at seedling stage, and repressed by NaCl and PEG6000 at mature plant stage. When TaNAC2D was introduced into Arabidopsis, the 35-day-old soil-grown TaNAC2D-overexpression (TaNAC2D-OX) plants displayed slower stomatal closure, higher water loss rate, and more sensitivity to salt and drought stresses compared with WT plants. In contrast, TaNAC2D-OX seedlings, grown on 1/2 MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of NaCl, Mannitol, and MV, had enhanced tolerances to salt, osmotic and oxidative stresses during seed germination and post-germination periods. The opposite stress-responsive phenotypes of transgenic Arabidopsis were consistent with the expression patterns of TaNAC2D in wheat. Moreover, under high salinity and dehydration conditions, three marker genes, including NCED3, RD29A, and RD29B, were down-regulated in 35-day-old TaNAC2D-OX plants grown in soil and up-regulated in 14-day-old TaNAC2D-OX seedlings grown on 1/2 MS medium. Our results suggest that the change in growth stages and environmental conditions may regulate TaNAC2D’s function.

Water Related Health Problems in Central Asia—A Review

The present paper provides an extensive literature review on water related health issues in Central Asia. Even though the per capita amount of available freshwater is substantial in all Central Asian states the uneven distribution in time and space creates problems for water availability. Due to this, the Central Asian economies are developing under increasing water deficiency. The degradation of water supply systems and sewage treatment plants is often severe leading to potentially high water loss rates and inadequate accessibility to safe water supply. In this context, rural areas are the most affected. Low tariffs in combination with absent metering and low collection rates for water fees mean that operation and maintenance costs for basic services of water supply and sanitation are not covered. Unsafe water supply contains both microbiological and non-microbiological contaminants. Helminthiasis and intestinal protozoa infections are of considerable public health importance in Central Asia. Agricultural and industrial pollution is especially affecting downstream areas of Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. In large areas copper, zinc, and chromium concentrations in water exceed maximum permissible concentration. Thus, there is an urgent need to strengthen the environmental monitoring system. Small-scale water supply and sanitation systems need to be developed in line with more efficient public spending on these.

Estimating Water Consumption and Irrigation Requirements in a Long-Established Mediterranean Rural Community by Remote Sensing and Field Data

The present study illustrates an original methodology for estimating irrigation requirements and quantifying real water consumption in a long-established Mediterranean rural community (Delta Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain), combining data from remote sensing, field mapping and in situ measurements. Because of land fragmentation and crop diversification, SPOT-5 imagery was used, given its spatial and temporal resolution and spectral attributes. Simultaneously, four flow meters were installed in two representative locations to measure water inputs and outputs every 5 min. Conveyance and irrigation efficiency were estimated for the entire irrigation community. The average conveyance efficiency was 46.8% and the classical and net irrigation efficiency reached 26.4 and 59.8%, respectively, with half of the water volume (55% or 3.2 hm3) returned to the river or diverted to wetlands, the maximum percentage of estimated error being about 3.4%. These results indicate an exceptionally high water loss rate due to the irrigation system (flooding), the ageing conveyance network and urban infrastructure breakdown. The applied protocol proved useful for monitoring low-efficiency irrigation systems in small communities experiencing intense urban and industrial pressures. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hygric stresses and strategies in maintaining the association between crayfish and ectosymbiotic worms across vastly different environments

Crayfish and their ectosymbiotic worms may be a valuable model system for studying strategies to maintain symbiotic relationships strained by host-induced environmental shifts. Ectosymbiotic branchiobdellidan worms are thought to be dependent on crayfish hosts for reproduction. However, many crayfish species leave surface waters to excavate and reside in subterranean burrows. During this semi-terrestrial phase, crayfish are frequently out of water, subjecting their associated worms to desiccation. Water balance characteristics of Cambarincola mesochoreus, an ectosymbiont of Procambarus clarkii, were examined to elucidate strategies for surviving emersion while maintaining host associations. Emersed worms were characterized by a high water loss rate and low tolerance for dehydration. A lack of direct water contact eventually prompted a coiled, immobile dormant state where water loss was temporarily suppressed. This dormant state was broken by addition of water and re-entered by subsequent emersion. Neither group effects by clustering of many worms, nor water vapor absorption were utilized as mechanisms to increase desiccation hardiness. When crayfish leave surface or subterranean water, worm survival while maintaining host contact is likely facilitated by facultative quiescence. However, this strategy only allows for survival during relatively short-term, cyclic bouts of emersion. Survival of longer-term emersion periods would require worms to leave hosts and remain behind in surface or subterranean water. These strategies likely incur counterbalancing trade-offs: increased mortality but maintenance of host association versus increased survival but temporary or permanent loss of host association and sites for reproduction.

Short day-triggered quiescence promotes water conservation in the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis.

A short day-long day exposure comparison of water balance characteristics throughout the life history of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, was conducted to examine how this tick survives winter-associated dryness. Larvae, nymphs, and adults under potential diapause-inducing conditions (short day, 20 °C) have low water loss rates compared to long day exposed ticks. Above the critical equilibrium activity, these nonfed ticks show greater water gain from lower water vapor activities. In contrast to nonfed stages, eggs and blood-engorged stages (fed larva, fed nymph) were enhanced for water conservation independent of short day exposure and did not display reduced water loss rates under short day conditions. This short day-prompted response in nonfed ticks was distinguished from a genetically programmed diapause as noted in other arthropods by: (1) reduction in water loss was temporary and could be reversed quickly by transferring to long day for only a single day, then re-triggered by returning to short day conditions; (2) switch between low and high water loss rates could be induced multiple times and for multiple different stages; and (3) response by ticks was to the photoperiod they were under, not the condition that was experienced by previous fed stages or in the mother in the case of eggs. Furthermore, short day had no impact on altering body water content, dehydration tolerance limit, instar yields, or developmental stadia. We conclude that a short day-triggered quiescence reduces desiccation stress associated with overwintering in nonfed ticks. This effect on water conservation due to short day exposure is more pronounced for subadults and is likely due to their increased sensitivity to water loss as a result of their smaller size, which is critical to prevent dehydration during the dry winter periods.

Combination of carboxymethyl cellulose-based coatings with calcium and ascorbic acid impacts in browning and quality of fresh-cut apples

Fresh cut apples have a short shelf-life due to their high rate of deterioration, water loss and cut-surface browning that can rapidly reduce fruit quality. In this study the effects of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coatings in combination with CaCl2 and ascorbic acid (AA) has been studied. Apple slices were dipped for 5 min in distilled water (uncoated), CMC (1% w/v) + CaCl2 (0.5%), or CMC (1%) + CaCl2 (0.5%) + AA (2%), and then stored at 4 °C, 90–95% (RH). The treatments suppressed browning, retained flesh firmness, and reduced soluble solid content, titratable acidity and pH changes of the slices. Browning incidence with CMC in combination with AA was lower than that of CMC solely. Vitamin C and antioxidant capacity in treatments was higher than that of uncoated. Coating treatments generally reduced total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations and polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity changes of slices during storage. These findings suggest that the combination use of CMC + AA may be useful for maintaining quality and reducing surface browning of fresh cut apples.

Relation between Water Balance and Climatic Variables Associated with the Geographical Distribution of Anurans.

Amphibian species richness increases toward the equator, particularly in humid tropical forests. This relation between amphibian species richness and environmental water availability has been proposed to be a consequence of their high rates of evaporative water loss. In this way, traits that estimate water balance are expected to covary with climate and constrain a species’ geographic distribution. Furthermore, we predicted that coexisting species of anurans would have traits that are adapted to local hydric conditions. We compared the traits that describe water balance in 17 species of anurans that occur in the mesic Atlantic Forest and xeric Cerrado (savannah) habitats of Brazil. We predicted that species found in the warmer and dryer areas would show a lower sensitivity of locomotor performance to dehydration (SLPD), increased resistance to evaporative water loss (REWL) and higher rates of water uptake (RWU) than species restricted to the more mesic areas. We estimated the allometric relations between the hydric traits and body mass using phylogenetic generalized least squares. These regressions showed that REWL scaled negatively with body mass, whereas RWU scaled positively with body mass. Additionally, species inhabiting areas characterized by higher and more seasonally uniform temperatures, and lower and more seasonally concentrated precipitation, such as the Cerrado, had higher RWU and SLPD than species with geographical distributions more restricted to mesic environments, such as the Atlantic Forest. These results support the hypothesis that the interspecific variation of physiological traits shows an adaptation pattern to abiotic environmental traits.

Two strategies by epiphytic orchids for maintaining water balance: thick cuticles in leaves and water storage in pseudobulbs.

Epiphytes are an important component of tropical and subtropical flora, and serve vital ecological functions in forest hydrology and nutrient fluxes. However, they often encounter water deficits because there is no direct contact between their roots and the soil. The strategies employed by epiphytes for maintaining water balance in relatively water-limited habitats are not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated the anatomical traits, water loss rates, and physiology of leaves and pseudobulbs of four Dendrobium species with different pseudobulb morphologies to understand the roles of leaf and pseudobulb in maintaining water balance of epiphytic orchids. Our results showed that two species (D. chrysotoxum and D. officinale), with lower rates of water loss, have thicker leaves and upper cuticles, but lower epidermal thickness and leaf dry mass per area. In contrast, the other two species (D. chrysanthum and D. crystallinum) with thinner cuticles and higher rates of water loss, have less tissue density and greater saturated water contents in their pseudobulbs. Therefore, our results indicate that these latter two species may resist drought by storing water in the pseudobulbs to compensate for their thin cuticles and rapid water loss through the leaves. Under the same laboratory conditions, excised pseudobulbs with attached leaves had lower rates of water loss when compared with samples comprising only excised leaves. This implies that epiphytic orchids utilize two different strategies for sustaining water balance: thick cuticles to conserve water in leaves and water storage in pseudobulbs. Our results also show that Dendrobium species with thin cuticles tend to have pseudobulbs with high water storage capacity that compensates for their faster rates of water loss. These outcomes contribute to our understanding of the adaptive water-use strategies in Dendrobium species, which is beneficial for the conservation and cultivation of epiphytic orchids.

Exceptional thermal tolerance and water resistance in the mite Paratarsotomus macropalpis (Erythracaridae) challenge prevailing explanations of physiological limits

Physiological performance and tolerance limits in metazoans have been widely studied and have informed our understanding of processes such as extreme heat and cold tolerance, and resistance to water loss. Because of scaling considerations, very small arthropods with extreme microclimatic niches provide promising extremophiles for testing predictive physiological models. Corollaries of small size include rapid heating and cooling (small thermal time constants) and high mass-specific metabolic and water exchange rates. This study examined thermal tolerance and water loss in the erythracarid mite Paratarsotomus macropalpis (Banks, 1916), a species that forages on the ground surface of the coastal sage scrub habitat of Southern California, USA. Unlike most surface-active diurnal arthropods, P. macropalpis remains active during the hottest parts of the day in midsummer. We measured water-loss gravimetrically and estimated the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) by exposing animals to a given temperature for 1h and then increasing temperature sequentially. The standardized water flux of 4.4ngh−1cm−2Pa−1, averaged for temperatures between 22 and 40°C, is among the lowest values reported in the literature. The CTmax of 59.4°C is, to our knowledge, the highest metazoan value reported for chronic (1-h) exposure, and closely matches maximum field substrate temperatures during animal activity. The extraordinary physiological performance seen in P. macropalpis likely reflects extreme selection resulting from its small size and resultant high mass-specific water loss rate and low thermal time-constant. Nevertheless, the high water resistance attained with a very thin lipid barrier, and the mite’s exceptional thermal tolerance, challenge existing theories seeking to explain physiological limits.

A Numerical Study of Water Loss Rate Distributions in MDCT-Based Human Airway Models.

Both three-dimensional (3D) and one-dimensional (1D) computational fluid dynamics methods are applied to study regional water loss in three multi-detector row computed-tomography-based human airway models at the minute ventilations of 6, 15 and 30 L/min. The overall water losses predicted by both 3D and 1D models in the entire respiratory tract agree with available experimental measurements. However, 3D and 1D models reveal different regional water loss rate distributions due to the 3D secondary flows formed at bifurcations. The secondary flows cause local skewed temperature and humidity distributions on inspiration acting to elevate the local water loss rate; and the secondary flow at the carina tends to distribute more cold air to the lower lobes. As a result, the 3D model predicts that the water loss rate first increases with increasing airway generation, and then decreases as the air approaches saturation, while the 1D model predicts a monotonic decrease of water loss rate with increasing airway generation. Moreover, the 3D (or 1D) model predicts relatively higher water loss rates in lower (or upper) lobes. The regional water loss rate can be related to the non-dimensional wall shear stress (τ (*)) by the non-dimensional mass transfer coefficient (h 0 (*) ) as [Formula: see text].