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Limited aerobic scope (AS) during digestion might be the main constraint on the performance of bodily functions in water‐breathing animals. Thus, investigating the postprandial changes in various physiological functions and determining the existence of a shared common pattern because of possible dependence on residual AS during digestion in freshwater fish species are very important in conservation physiology. All species from slow‐flow habitats showed impaired swimming speed while digesting, whereas all species from fast‐flow habitats showed strong swimming performance, which was unchanged while digesting. Only two species from slow‐flow habitats showed impaired heat tolerance during digestion, suggesting that whether oxygen limitation is involved in the heat tolerance process is species‐specific. Three species from slow‐ or intermediate‐flow habitats showed impaired hypoxia tolerance during digestion because feeding metabolism cannot cease completely under hypoxia. Overall, there was no common pattern in postprandial changes in different physiological functions because: (1) the digestion process was suppressed under oxygen‐limiting conditions, (2) the residual AS decreased during digestion, and (3) performance was related to residual AS, while digestion was context‐dependent and species‐specific. However, digestion generally showed a stronger effect on bodily functions in species from slow‐flow habitats, whereas it showed no impairment in fishes from fast‐flow habitats. Nevertheless, the postprandial change in physiological functions varies with habitat, possibly due to divergent selective pressure on such functions. More importantly, the present study suggests that a precise prediction of how freshwater fish populations will respond to global climate change needs to incorporate data from postprandial fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To select urban greening tree species suitable for the purification of the atmosphere polluted by black carbon (BC) particles, it is necessary to clarify the determinants of the amount of BC particles deposited on the tree leaves. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the amount of BC particles that were deposited from the atmosphere and firmly adhered to the leaf epicuticular wax, and leaf surface traits in seedlings of nine tree species grown for two years under natural conditions (Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan). There was a significant interspecific difference in the maximum amount of BC particles deposited on the leaf surface, and the order was as follows: Ilex rotunda > Cornus florida > Osmanthus fragrans > Cornus kousa > Quercus glauca ≒ Quercus myrsinifolia > Magnolia kobus ≒ Zelkova serrata ≒ Styrax japonicus. In the nine tree species, significant highly positive correlations were observed between the amount of BC particles deposited on the leaf surface, and the hydrophobicity of leaf epicuticular wax determined by its chemical composition. Therefore, we concluded that the hydrophobicity of leaf epicuticular wax is an important determinant of the amount of BC particles deposited on the leaf surface of urban greening tree species. This is the first paper that shows that the hydrophobicity of leaf epicuticular wax is an important determinant of the amount of BC particles deposited on the leaf surface of urban greening tree species. This study will provide the basic and novel information for the selection of urban greening tree species suitable for the purification of the air polluted by BC particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of rodents play a substantial role in the communication and interaction between individuals; exhibit a high degree of complexity; and are influenced by a multitude of developmental, environmental, and phylogenetic factors. The functions of USVs are mainly studied in laboratory mice or rats. However, the behavioral relevance of USVs in wild rodents is poorly studied. In this work, we systematically investigated the vocal repertoire of the wild mouse Mus caroli and wild rat Rattus losea in multiple social or non-social contexts, e.g., pup-isolation, juvenile-play, paired opposite-sex encounter, female–female interaction, social-exploring, or foot-shock treatment. Unlike the laboratory mice, M. caroli, whose USVs were recorded during pup-isolation and courtship behaviors, did not produce any vocal sounds during juvenile-play and female–female interactions. R. losea, similar to laboratory rats, emitted USVs in all test situations. We found higher peak frequencies of USVs in both these two wild rodent species than in laboratory animals. Moreover, the parameters and structures of USVs varied significantly across different social or non-social contexts even within each species, confirming the context-sensitivity and complexity of vocal signals in rodents. We also noted a striking difference in call types between these two species: no downward type occurred in M. caroli, but no upward type occurred in R. losea, thereby highlighting the interspecific difference of vocal signals among rodents. Thus, the present study presents behavioral foundations of the vocalization context in wild mice and wild rats, and contributes to revealing the behavioral significance of widely used USVs in rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grass carp and silver carp eggs have no swimming ability in the water-hardened phase and need to drift for tens or even hundreds of hours before complete incubation. A full comprehensive understanding of the settling and transport properties of eggs is crucial for the resource protection and invasion control of Four Major Chinese Carps (FMCCs) during their early life stages. Artificial eggs have been used extensively in previous field and flume experiments; however, our understanding of the settling and transport properties of real eggs in the water-hardened phase remains limited. In the present study, a series of column and flume experiments were conducted in stagnant and moving water, respectively. In light of the differences in settling characteristics, caution should be exercised when applying research results obtained from artificial eggs having the closest diameter and specific gravity as real eggs. Compared with grass carp and silver carp eggs in the water-hardening phase, egg diameters in the water-hardened phase were 36% and 33% greater, respectively, and egg hydrostatic settling velocities were 31% and 40% lower, respectively. Significant interspecific differences between the two species exist in terms of egg size and hydrostatic settling velocity. Based on linear mixed effects analysis of dominant transport trajectories and regression analysis between suspending rate and flow velocity, 0.30 m/s can be considered as critical drifting velocity in uniform flow. Adaptive management schemes are discussed to promote resource protection and invasion control of FMCCs during the early life stages. The results of the present study enhance our understanding of drifting egg movement and provide insights that could facilitate the comprehensive management of FMCCs.

Plantations are typically monocultures, which limits their sustainability. Therefore, understanding acclimatization strategies and resource use efficiencies in plant species and life forms aids the improvement of vegetation diversity and ecological functions. Here, 19 species from forest plantations in Fangshan, Beijing, China were studied. We determined their net photosynthetic (Pn), and transpiration rates (E), light response curve, stomatal conductance (gs), and leaf nitrogen (N) content. We analyzed the leaf N content (Nmass), specific leaf area (SLA), maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pnmax), water use (WUE), nitrogen use (NUE), and carbon use (CUE) efficiencies and connected them with both species and life forms. Pnmax, SLA, Nmass, WUE, NUE, and CUE significantly differed among species. Evergreen conifers had the lowest SLA and Nmass but the highest WUE and CUE. Evergreen coniferous trees had lower SLA, Nmass, Pnmax, and NUE but higher WUE than deciduous trees and shrubs. The SLA, Nmass, and Pnmax of nitrogen-fixing plants were the highest. A correlation analysis revealed that WUE was positively correlated with CUE and negatively correlated with NUE. Moreover, WUE was negatively correlated with Nmass and SLA. These insights into the adaptability differences of woody plant species and life forms provide a scientific basis for the selection of appropriate species for sustainable forest plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The phenology of alpine grassland on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) is critical to regional climate change through climate–vegetation feedback. Although many studies have examined QTP vegetation dynamics and their climate sensitivities, the interspecific difference in the phenology response to climate change between alpine species is poorly understood. Here, we used a 30-year (1989–2018) record of in situ phenological observation for five typical alpine herbs (Elymus nutans , Kobresia pygmaea , Plantago asiatica , Puccinellia tenuiflora , and Scirpus distigmaticus) and associated climatic records at Henan Station in the eastern QTP to examine the species-level difference in spring and autumn phenology and then quantify their climate sensitivities. Our results show that with significantly warming, the green-up dates of herbs were insignificantly shifted, while the brown-off dates in four out of the five herbs were significantly delayed. Meanwhile, the interspecific difference in brown-off dates significantly increased at a rate of 0.62 days/annual from 1989 to 2016, which was three times larger than that in green-up dates (0.20 days/annual). These diverse rates were attributed to the different climate controls on spring and autumn phenology. In particular, green-up dates in most herbs were sensitive to mean surface temperature, while brown-off dates were sensitive to the night surface temperature. Furthermore, brown-off dates are less sensitive to the warming in high ecological niche (with higher herb height and aboveground biomass) herbs than low niche herbs (with lower herb height and aboveground biomass). The increased phenology interspecific difference highlights the complex responses of herbs to future climate change even under the same alpine environment and indicates a potential alternation in the plants community of alpine QTP, which may further influence the regional climate–vegetation feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenology of alpine grassland on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) is critical to regional climate change through climate–vegetation feedback. Although many studies have examined QTP vegetation dynamics and their climate sensitivities, the interspecific difference in the phenology response to climate change between alpine species is poorly understood. Here, we used a 30-year (1989–2018) record of in situ phenological observation for five typical alpine herbs (Elymus nutans, Kobresia pygmaea, Plantago asiatica, Puccinellia tenuiflora, and Scirpus distigmaticus) and associated climatic records at Henan Station in the eastern QTP to examine the species-level difference in spring and autumn phenology and then quantify their climate sensitivities. Our results show that with significantly warming, the green-up dates of herbs were insignificantly shifted, while the brown-off dates in four out of the five herbs were significantly delayed. Meanwhile, the interspecific difference in brown-off dates significantly increased at a rate of 0.62 days/annual from 1989 to 2016, which was three times larger than that in green-up dates (0.20 days/annual). These diverse rates were attributed to the different climate controls on spring and autumn phenology. In particular, green-up dates in most herbs were sensitive to mean surface temperature, while brown-off dates were sensitive to the night surface temperature. Furthermore, brown-off dates are less sensitive to the warming in high ecological niche (with higher herb height and aboveground biomass) herbs than low niche herbs (with lower herb height and aboveground biomass). The increased phenology interspecific difference highlights the complex responses of herbs to future climate change even under the same alpine environment and indicates a potential alternation in the plants community of alpine QTP, which may further influence the regional climate–vegetation feedback.

Accumulating evidence has revealed the anti-inflammatory properties of Lactobacillus -derived exopolysaccharides (EPSs). However, interspecific differences among these Lactobacillus -derived anti-inflammatory EPSs have not been investigated. Cell experiments showed that Limosilactobacillus fermentum , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus , and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum -derived EPSs exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory efficacy in vitro. Subsequently, we used Lactobacillus -derived EPSs to treat colitis in mice. There was no significant difference in EPS's repair of the intestinal barrier from the five Lactobacillus species. However, Ligilactobacillus salivarius -derived EPSs and L. plantarum -derived EPSs more potently reduced proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-γ, and IL-17), increasing IL-10 concentrations in the colon. Lactobacillus -derived EPS moieties from five species regulate intestinal bacteria at the strain level. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that owing to the different infiltration and polarization effects of Lactobacillus -derived EPSs on macrophages, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus -derived EPSs were inconsistent. The structure-activity relationship showed that Lactobacillus -derived EPSs with high fructose content had excellent anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. The results mentioned above revealed that the anti-inflammatory activity of Lactobacillus -derived EPSs had interspecific variability, and the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action in vitro and in vivo was different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Twelve organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) were detected in the muscle of 3 species of fish, mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella), tilapia (Tilapia nilotica), and plecostomus (Hypostomus plecostomus), from rivers in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. The total concentrations of PFRs in the mud carp, tilapia, and plecostomus ranged from 2.3 to 16, 3.4 to 16, and 3.5 to 30 ng/g wet weight (ww), respectively. Generally, tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP), tris (2-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCPP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), and tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP) were the dominant compounds of the PFRs, collectively accounting for up to 90% of the total PFR levels. Concentrations of PFRs were significantly higher in the plecostomus than in the mud carp and tilapia (p < 0.05), which could be explained by differences in habitat and feeding habits of the fish species. High concentrations of PFRs were found mainly in the Guangzhou section of the Pearl River (site P1, P2, and P3) and site B3, which was similar to our previous study of PFRs in sediment from the Pearl River Delta, indicating a relatively high level of PFRs pollution in these regions. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of total PFRs from consumption of fish was 17 ng/kg bw/day to 98 ng/kg bw/day for adults and children, which was three to four orders of magnitude lower than reference dose values. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Levels of ∑12PFRs in fish from the PRD ranged from 2.3 to 30 ng/g ww. • High PFRs level was found mainly in the Guangzhou section of the Pearl River and site B3. • TEHP, TCPP, TCEP, and TnBP were the dominant compounds of the PFRs in the PRD. • The concentrations of PFRs were significantly higher in the plecostomus than in the mud carp and tilapia (p < 0.05). • All the PFR EDIs were far below the established corresponding RfD values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Larch (Larix sp.) tree is a critical species for the future afforestation in Northeast Asia. The impacts of elevated concentrations of ground-level ozone (O 3) and nitrogen (N) deposition are raising concerns. However, knowledge of the combined effects of elevated O 3 and N loading are still limited. We investigated whether nitrogen loading mitigates the negative impacts of ozone on two larch species: the Japanese larch (L. kaempferi) and its hybrid larch F 1 (L. gmelinii var. japonica × L. kaempferi) or not. We used open-top cambers and compared responses of the larch seedlings. Results showed the N loading mitigated the negative effects of O 3 on Japanese larch. However, in hybrid larch F 1 , N loading did not mitigate O 3 -induced inhibition of growth and photosynthetic capacity. Mitigation effect of N loading on negative O 3 impacts may vary between the two Larix spp., Hybrid larch F 1 could be more affected by the combined effects of O 3 and N loading due to its higher growth response to N loading. Elevated O 3 also reduced leaf nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) ratio by elevated O 3 , with significant effects in hybrid larch F 1 , particularly under N loading. In the present study, leaf N/P ratio was utilized to validate the hypothesis that a positive effect of N loading may be observed if O 3 does not induce P limitation in Larix spp. We demonstrated a potential leaf N/P ratio function, which could reflect responses to O 3 and N loading in hybrid larch F 1. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Combined effects of N loading and elevated O 3 on larch species remain unclear. • Nitrogen loading mitigated negative effects of ozone in Japanese larch. • In hybrid larch F 1 , N loading did not mitigate ozone-induced inhibition of growth and photosynthetic capacity. • Potential function of leaf N/P ratio in reflecting responses to the combined effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater snails and submerged macrophytes are both important aquatic biological groups. The presence of freshwater snails might affect the growth of submerged macrophytes in term of their feeding behavior and metabolism. Bellamya aeruginosa (Reeve) is an important freshwater snail for most of Chinese waters and rarely grazes submerged macrophytes. We expected this snail species would benefit the growth of submerged macrophytes. We conducted a control experiment to study effects of nutrient enrichment in the water column and B. aeruginosa absence/presence on growth and carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometric characteristics of three submerged macrophytes, Ceratophyllum demersum (L.), Hydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle, and Vallisneria natans (Lour.) Hara. The results indicated that both nutrient enrichment and B. aeruginosa presence affected the biomass and C, N, and P stoichiometric characteristics of submerged macrophytes. However, the effects of nutrient enrichment were relative larger than those of B. aeruginosa presence. B. aeruginosa could promote the biomass of V. natans in low nutrient levels but did not significantly affect the biomass of the other two macrophytes. B. aeruginosa presence increased the N contents of H. verticillata and V. natans, decreased the P contents of V. natans, and had negligible effects on C. demersum. Our study highlights that the effects of B. aeruginosa on submerged macrophytes were very complicated. More studies still should be done in order to give a scientific advice on how these two biological groups are combined used in the restoration of degraded aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative halogenated flame retardants (AHFRs) were measured in eleven mollusk species collected from the Chinese Bohai Sea. PBDEs and AHFRs were detected in all species, and their average total concentrations were in the range of 22.5–355 and 10.0–84.3 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) were the dominant halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), contributing 22.5% to 73.6% and 3.1% to 38.3% of the total HFRs, respectively. The levels of PBDEs and AHFRs were moderate to high from a global perspective. Interspecific differences in the accumulation of PBDEs and AHFRs were characterized by heat map and cluster analysis. Composition profile differences were also observed, with higher proportions of AHFRs in gastropods than in bivalves. These species-specific differences in concentrations and profiles in mollusks were attributed to different species traits, including feeding habit, trophic level, and metabolic potential. • PBDEs and AHFRs were determined in mollusks sampled from the Chinese Bohai Sea. • The concentrations of HFRs in Bohai Sea mollusks were at moderate to high levels from a global perspective. • Interspecies differences in the accumulation of AHFRs and PBDEs were studied among different mollusks. • Dietary habit, metabolic capacity, and trophic level were chosen to interpret species-specific bioaccumulation of HFRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Trace elements incorporated in foraminiferal test are commonly used as paleoproxies, however, the incorporation of trace elements is controlled by more than one environmental parameter. We conducted one year sampling from June 2014 to May 2015 in the Qingdao intertidal flat, the Yellow Sea, and retrieved surface samples in the Jiaozhou Bay (3.9–6.8 m water depth), the Yellow Sea in February 2015, as well as performed a laboratory culture experiment under temperature 6–24 °C and salinity 24–33 psu, by combining δ 18O c values of field A. aomoriensis , parameters controlling Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios of Ammonia aomoriensis were investigated. Under constant seawater chemistry, temperature dominates the magnesium incorporation into A. aomoriensis test by an exponential increase of 5.1% per °C (Mg/Ca = 1.0980 (±0.2073) e0.0510 (±0.0097) T; Mg/Ca = 0.5565 (±0.3897) + 0.1279 (±0.0242) T, 2.4–24 °C including field samples). Whereas, temperature has no significant effect on Strontium uptake. Calcite Sr/Ca of A. aomoriensis is primarily explained by Mg/Ca value (~3% per mmol/mol). Salinity variations are of subordinate importance for both Mg and Sr content in the test of A. aomoriensis , Mg/Ca raises linearly with approximately 2% per salinity unit, and Sr/Ca increases ~1% per salinity unit. Importantly, biological mechanism might be an inestimable factor perturbing Mg and Sr response to environmental parameters in natural waters, complicating the paleoclimate reconstruction. Highlights • Mg/Ca ratio of Ammonia aomoriensis increases 5.1%/°C with temperature for 2.4–24 °C. • Under constant seawater chemistry, Mg/Ca cc dominates Sr uptake with 3% per mmol/mol. • Temperature has no significant effect on Sr/Ca of A. aomoriensis. • Salinity has a weak effect on both Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca uptake between 24 and 33 psu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is a limiting element in many aquatic ecosystems. Excessive P input often leads to cyanobacterial bloom, thus triggering ecological imbalances and a series of environmental problems. Submerged macrophytes have a strong ability to absorb P and play important roles in maintaining aquatic ecosystem functions. However, the degree to which submerged macrophytes maintain their tissue P contents in various nutrient levels and the corresponding influencing factors are still not very clear. In this study, the stoichiometric characteristics and stoichiometric homeostasis of P in the aboveground and belowground parts of three submerged macrophytes, Vallisneria natans (Lour.) Hara, Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, and Ceratophyllum demersum (L.), with great differences in growth forms, were studied under different growth times and nutrient levels via laboratory experiments. The results showed that the water conductivity, turbidity, and chlorophyll content increased significantly with the increasing nutrient levels. The variation of species, organ, growth time, and nutrient level could significantly affect the P contents of submerged macrophytes. Among these factors, the variance contribution rates caused by the differences of nutrient levels in water column were the highest at more than 50%. The P stoichiometric homeostasis index (HP) in the belowground parts of the three submerged macrophytes was higher than that of the aboveground parts. The HP decreased by the growth time; the HP of V. natans was significantly higher than those of H. verticillata and C. demersum. In summary, the P stoichiometric homeostasis in submerged macrophytes could reflect their responses to environmental changes, and the P content of submerged macrophytes was an indicator of the bioavailability of external P. H. verticillata exhibited a high growth rate and a high accumulation of P content, making it the most suitable species in this study for removing large amounts of P from water in a short term.

This study investigated the development of interspecific adaptations of flow-resistance mechanisms to higher flow rates in rigid-stemmed Hygrophila salicifolia (Vahl) Nees (willow leaf Hygrophila sp.) plants placed in simulated water channels. The results indicate that adaptations to higher flow rates include a reduction in: growth rate, average fresh weight, average dry weight, and average diameter; but an increase in the number of parallel shoots. These effects combine to create a streamlined profile, reduce plant damage, and increase propagation through adventitious budding. Higher flow rates also reduced the ratio of average plant height to average root length in rigid-stemmed Hygrophila sp. The increased root length, strengthening of plant anchors, and reduction of uprooting seen at higher flow rates are likely to increase slope stability and reduce riverbank topsoil runoff. Moreover, rigid-stemmed aquatic macrophytes develop different adaptations than flexible-stemmed water plants (e.g., water celery); for these plants, higher flow velocities trigger an increase in the average density of vascular bundles and a reduction of the average root length, which results in uprooting and movement to different locations. These results suggest that different aquatic macrophytes play different roles in water channels. Our methods and findings can inform further investigations into the roles played by different aquatic macrophytes in ecological engineering and help to identify optimal planting materials or precursors for riverbanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A series of column and flume experiments address the settling and transport properties of grass carp and silver carp eggs in the water-hardened phase. • Phase-specific and inter-specific differences exist in egg size and hydrostatic settling velocity. • The critical drifting velocity of grass carp and silver carp eggs can be considered as 0.30 m/s in uniform flow. • Adaptive management schemes are discussed to promote resource protection and invasion control of FMCCs during the early life stages. Grass carp and silver carp eggs have no swimming ability in the water-hardened phase and need to drift for tens or even hundreds of hours before complete incubation. A full comprehensive understanding of the settling and transport properties of eggs is crucial for the resource protection and invasion control of Four Major Chinese Carps (FMCCs) during their early life stages. Artificial eggs have been used extensively in previous field and flume experiments; however, our understanding of the settling and transport properties of real eggs in the water-hardened phase remains limited. In the present study, a series of column and flume experiments were conducted in stagnant and moving water, respectively. In light of the differences in settling characteristics, caution should be exercised when applying research results obtained from artificial eggs having the closest diameter and specific gravity as real eggs. Compared with grass carp and silver carp eggs in the water-hardening phase, egg diameters in the water-hardened phase were 36% and 33% greater, respectively, and egg hydrostatic settling velocities were 31% and 40% lower, respectively. Significant interspecific differences between the two species exist in terms of egg size and hydrostatic settling velocity. Based on linear mixed effects analysis of dominant transport trajectories and regression analysis between suspending rate and flow velocity, 0.30 m/s can be considered as critical drifting velocity in uniform flow. Adaptive management schemes are discussed to promote resource protection and invasion control of FMCCs during the early life stages. The results of the present study enhance our understanding of drifting egg movement and provide insights that could facilitate the comprehensive management of FMCCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parrotfishes (family Labridae: Scarini) are regarded to have important roles for maintaining the ecosystem balance in coral reefs due to their removal of organic matter and calcic substrates by grazing. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the interspecific differences in grazing ability of five parrotfish species (Chlorurus sordidus, C. bowersi, Scarus rivulatus, S. niger and S. forsteni) in relation to interspecific differences in jaw-lever mechanics and the relative weight of the adductor mandibulae (muscles operating jaw closing). The grazing ability was calculated by using stomach contents (CaCO3 weight/organic matter weight) defined as the grazing ability index (GAI). There were significant interspecific differences in GAI (C. sordidus = C. bowersi > S. rivulatus > S. niger = S. forsteni). Teeth of C. sordidus and C. bowersi were protrusive-shape whereas teeth of S. rivulatus, S. niger and S. forsteni were flat-shape. C. sordidus and C. bowersihave jaw-lever mechanics producing a greater biting force and have a larger weight of adductor mandibulae. S. rivulatus has jaw-lever mechanics producing a greater biting force but a smaller weight of adductor mandibulae that produce an intermediate biting force. In contrast, S. niger and S. forsteni have jaw-lever mechanics producing a lesser biting force and have a smaller weight of adductor mandibulae. Feeding rates and foray size of S. rivulatus, S. niger and S. forsteni were greater than C. sordidus and C. bowersi. The degree in bioerosion (GAI × feeding rate) was the largest for S. rivulatusand the smallest for S. forsteni. The degree in bioerosion for C. sordidus was larger than S. niger whereas relatively equal between C. bowersi and S. niger. These results suggest that interspecific difference in GAI was explained by interspecific differences in teeth shape, jaw-lever mechanics and relative weight of adductor mandibulae. The interspecific difference in the degree of bioerosion suggests the importance of various size of parrotfishes with diverse feeding modes to maintain healthy coral reef ecosystems.

European tits (Paridae) exhibit species-specific levels of initial wariness towards aposematic prey. This wariness may be caused by neophobia, dietary conservatism or innate bias against particular prey traits. We assessed the contribution of these three mechanisms to the behaviour of juvenile tits towards novel palatable prey and novel aposematic prey. We compared levels of initial wariness in great tits ( Parus major ), blue tits ( Cyanistes caeruleus ) and coal tits ( Periparus ater ), and tested how the wariness can be deactivated by experience with a palatable prey. One group of birds was pre-trained to attack familiar naturally coloured mealworms the other one, novel red-painted mealworms. Then all the birds were offered a novel palatable prey of different colour and shape: cricket ( Acheta domestica ) with blue sticker, and then a novel aposematic firebug ( Pyrrhocoris apterus ). The three species of tits differed in how the experience with a novel palatable prey affected their behaviour towards another novel prey. Great tits and coal tits from experienced groups significantly decreased their neophobia towards both palatable prey and aposematic prey while blue tits did not change their strongly neophobic reactions. The interspecific differences may be explained by differences in body size, geographic range, and habitat specialisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench cv. Tsushima) and Tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum (L.) Gaertn. cv. Pontivy) were grown in a nutrient solution with or without added NaCl to investigate interspecific differences in their responses to salinity, based on their dry-matter production. The mechanism of salt tolerance was also studied. Addition of 100 mM NaCl to the culture solution (salt treatment) lowered the plant growth rate to 48% and 16% of the control in Tsushima and Pontivy, respectively, and decreased the net assimilation rate and mean leaf area of Pontivy more severely than in Tsushima. The salt treatment decreased the leaf growth rate and leaf area per leaf to 30% and 72% of the control, respectively, in Tsushima, and to 12% and 52%, respectively, in Pontivy. It decreased the photosynthetic rate to 67% and 35% of the control, and stomatal conductance to 25% and 15% of the control in Tsushima and Pontivy, respectively. It also decreased the transpiration rate to 41% and 30% of the control in Tsushima and Pontivy, respectively, and increased the wateruse efficiency 1.6 times in Tsushima, but did not influence the wateruse efficiency in Pontivy. In the saline solution, the accumulation of Na+ in leaves and stem was greater in Pontivy than in Tsushima, but that in the roots, was greater in Tsushima than in Pontivy. In both species, Na+ accumulated rapidly in the leaves after removal of the roots in the saline solution. We conclude that the difference in salt tolerance between common and Tartary buckwheat may result from the difference in accumulation of Na+ in leaves and absorption of Na+ by the roots.

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench cv. Shinano No.1) and Tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum (L.) Gaertn. cv. Nepal) were grown in pots to examine their responses to soil flooding. Flooding treatment was carried out during the early growth stage by completely submerging the pots in a nutrient solution from 12 to 36 days after sowing. The plant growth rate, relative growth rate and mean leaf area under the flooding treatment were reduced to 72, 90 and 83% of the control, respectively, in Shinano No.1, and to 29, 71 and 45% of the control, respectively, in Nepal. The excess moisture stress had no effect on the net assimilation rate (NAR) in Shinano No.1, but lowered the NAR to 68% of that in the control in Nepal. Excess moisture stress decreased the total leaf area to 76 and 34% of the control in Shinano No.1 and Nepal, respectively. Leaf growth rate, number of leaves and leaf area per leaf, which influenced the total leaf area, were reduced by the excess soil moisture. The relative water content of leaves was unchanged in Shinano No.1, but was decreased in Nepal. Reduction in bleeding from the cut end of stem due to flooding was greater in Nepal than in Shinano No.1. Excess moisture stress reduced the K+ concentration of the stem and increased the Na+ concentration of leaves, stem and roots more strongly in Nepal than in Shinano No.1. Development of adventitious roots in the surface layer of the nutrient solution was better in Shinano No.1 than in Nepal. In conclusion, Shinano No.1 (common buckwheat) had a stronger tolerance to excess soil moisture than Nepal (Tartary buckwheat). In Shinano No. 1, leaf growth and photosynthetic rate were not markedly affected and the capacity of absorbing water and nutrients was retained by developing adventitious roots in the solution above the surface of the soil keeping proper physiological activity under excess moisture conditions.

The growth of crown and lateral roots emerged from the excised phytomers of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum Rich.), barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea Link.) and maize (Zea mays L.) was studied under normal and low osmotic potential conditions. The plants were grown in two solutions with osmotic potentials of –0.02 and –0.54 MPa for 6 days. The relative growth rate of the roots in total length (RGRL) , was not affected by osmotic stress in pearl and barnyard millets, but that in stressed maize was reduced to 64% of the control. Similarly, the relative growth rate of the roots in dry weight (RGRW), was not affected by osmotic stress in pearl and barnyard millets, but significantly reduced in maize. Osmotic stress increased the specific root length of the lateral roots in pearl and barnyard millets, but did not affect that of maize. The photosynthetic rate (Pr) in the two millets was decreased to ca. 60% of the control by the stress, and that in maize was reduced to 21%. Under the stress, Pr in the three species was limited mainly by low stomatal conductance, but no clear relationship was found between Pr and osmotic adjustment of the leaf. The relative water content of the leaf was lower in maize than in the two millets. The resistance to water flow through the phytomer (R) was significantly increased by osmotic stress in maize, but not significantly in the two millets. The mean root length (RL) was decreased by the stress in maize, but not in the two millets. The maintenance of RGRL in the two millets was associated with sustained R, RL and also with the maintenance of Pr and allocation of assimilates to roots.

In environmental risk assessments (ERA), biomarkers have been widely used as an early warning signal of environmental contamination. However, biomarker responses have limitation due to its low relevance to adverse outcomes ( e.g. , fluctuations in community structure, decreases in population size, and other similar ecobiologically relevant indicators of community structure and function). To mitigate these limitations, the concept of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) was developed. An AOP is an analytical, sequentially progressive pathway that links a molecular initiating event (MIE) to an adverse outcome. Recently, AOPs have been recognized as a potential informational tool by which the implications of molecular biomarkers in ERA can be better understood. To demonstrate the utility of AOPs in biomarker-based ERA, here we discuss a series of three different biological repercussions caused by exposure to benzo( a )pyrene (B a P), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and selenium (Se). Using mainly aquatic invertebrates and selected vertebrates as model species, we focus on the development of the AOP concept. Aquatic organisms are suitable bioindicator species whose entire lifespans can be observed over a short period; moreover, these species can be studied on the molecular and population levels. Also, interspecific differences between aquatic organisms are important to consider in an AOP framework, since these differences are an integral part of the natural environment. The development of an environmental pollutant-mediated AOP may enable a better understanding of the effects of environmental pollutants in different scenarios in the diverse community of an ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendroecological techniques were used to examine the relationships between topographic aspects, climate factors and radial growth of Picea meyeri and Larix principis-rupprechtii in Luyashan Mountains, North-Central China. Four sites were selected at timberline and totally 67 trees and 134 cores were collected. Pearson correlation and regression surface analysis were conducted to reveal the growth-climate relationships. The results indicated that the two species both showed significant negative correlations with temperature during preceding November on the two topographic aspects. On both slope aspects, growth of P. meyeri exhibited significant negative correlations with precipitation in current June, whereas growth of L. principis-rupprechtii showed significant negative correlations with precipitation in preceding September. On north-facing slope, tree growth was limited by low temperature in early growing season, which not shown on south-facing slope. If climate warming continues, L. principis-rupprechtii may be more favored and a reverse between relationships with temperature and precipitation maybe occur in growth of trees. Treeline position on the north-facing slope may possess a greater potential for elevation shifting than the south-facing slope. Our results supply useful information for discussing the potential effect of future climate on the forest growth in North-Central China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific differences in xenobiotic metabolism are a key to determining relative sensitivities of animals to xenobiotics. However, information on domesticated livestock, companion animals, and captive and free-ranging wildlife is incomplete. The present study evaluated interspecific differences in phase II conjugation using pyrene as a nondestructive biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their metabolites have carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting effects in humans and wildlife and can have serious consequences. The authors collected urine from 16 mammalian species and analyzed pyrene metabolites. Interspecific differences in urinary pyrene metabolites, especially in the concentration and composition of phase II conjugated metabolites, were apparent. Glucuronide conjugates are dominant metabolites in the urine of many species, including deer, cattle, pigs, horses, and humans. However, they could not be detected in ferret urine even though the gene for ferret Uridine 5′-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, UGT) 1A6 is not a pseudogene. Sulfate conjugates were detected mainly in the urine of cats, ferrets, and rabbits. Interestingly, sulfate conjugates were detected in pig urine. Although pigs are known to have limited aryl sulfotransferase activity, the present study demonstrated that pig liver was active in 1-hydroxypyrene sulfation. The findings have some application for biomonitoring environmental pollution. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014; 33:2062-2069. © 2014 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clarifying interspecific differences in prey items in relation to morphological characteristics is a fundamental aspect to understand the mechanism enabling the diversity of feeding ecology of fishes. The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between prey items and body shape variation, teeth and mandible characteristics for four lutjanid species: Lutjanus decussatus, L. fulviflamma, L. fulvus and L. gibbus. Stomach contents analysis revealed that the main prey items of L. decussatus were fishes, L. fulviflamma were crabs and fishes, and L. fulvus and L. gibbus was crabs. Body shape analysis revealed that L. decussatus and L. fulviflamma had a shallower body depth whereas L. fulvus and L. gibbus had a deeper body depth. The two species with a shallower body had long teeth whereas the other two species with a deeper body depth had shorter teeth. The jaw-lever mechanics were compared and L. decussatus and L. fulviflamma have a faster mouth opening-closing mechanism. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that fishes was the major prey item for the species having a shallower body depth, higher teeth length and lower ratios of in-lever to out-lever of mandibles, whereas crabs was the major prey item for the species having a deeper body depth, lower teeth length and higher ratios of in-lever to out-lever of mandibles. It is suggested that the interspecific differences in main prey items among the four species are directly related to behavioral differences based on body shape, teeth characteristics and jaw-lever mechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Siniperca chuatsi, Siniperca kneri, and Siniperca scherzeri are three of the most economically important sinipercid species. The ultrastructure and morphology of the mature spermatozoa of them are examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sperm consists of an acrosome-less head, a short midpiece and a long flagellum. Ultrastructurally, it has a homogeneously electron-dense nucleus in a granular pattern with nuclear lucent and a nuclear fossa excluding the centriolar complex. One to four mitochondria with lamellar cristae encircle the basal body of the flagellum in the midpiece. The cytoplasm surrounding the centrioles and the cylindric cytoplasmic channel contains glycogen granules and vesicles. Comprising the conventional 9+2 axoneme, vesicles and lateral fins, the sperm flagellum is inserted laterally on the nucleus, therefore the spermatozoon is asymmetrical. All of the spermatozoa of the three species are of the primitive or ect-aquasperm form and conform to the teleostean type II spermatozoa instead of the previously supposed type I. Variations in the shape of the heads, angles between the two centrioles, location of the cytoplasmic vesicles, mitochondrial number and structural characteristics of the lateral fins are notable among the three species. S. chuatsi is a sister-group of the other two species and is the most differentiated. The present study provides fresh insights to the comparative spermatology of Siniperca fishes and will be useful to the existing knowledge of the sinipercid fishes in systematic characters, biodiversity conservation and reproduction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

•Investigation of responses of meristems to environmental conditions is important for understanding the mechanisms and consequences of plant phenotypic plasticity. Here, we examined how meristem plasticity to light and soil nutrients affected leaf growth and relative growth rate (RGR) in fast- and slow-growing Festuca grass species. •Activity in shoot apical meristems was measured by leaf appearance rate, and that in leaf meristems by the duration and rate of cell production, which was further divided into single cell cycle time and the number of dividing cells. •Light and soil nutrients affected activity in shoot apical meristems similarly. The high nutrient supply increased the number of dividing cells, which was responsible for enhancement of cell production rate; shaded conditions extended the duration of cell production. As a result, leaf length increased under high nutrient and shaded conditions. The RGR was correlated positively with the total meristem size of the shoot under a low nutrient supply, implying inhibition of RGR by cell production under nutrient-limited conditions. Fast-growing species were more plastic for cell production rate and specific leaf area (SLA) but less plastic for RGR than slow-growing species. •This study demonstrates that meristem plasticity plays key roles in characterizing environmental responses of plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To establish a UPLC-ESI-MS method for the assay of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases(UGT) 1A9 activities in human and animal liver microsomes, to investigate the interspecific differences of UGT1A9. Methods: The probe substrate of propofol (m/z 177.3), II phase metabolite of propofol glucuronide (PG) (m/z 377.3, [M + Na]+), and internal standard (IS) of 3-acetamidophenol (m/z 152.2, [M + H]+) were quantified by selective ion monitor (SIM), using electrospray ionization-MS (ESI-MS), acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) and a mixture of acetonitrile(B)-0.5% acetic acid(A) as flow phase in gradient elution at flow rate of 0.3 mL·min−1. Result: The linearity was within 0.2 to 12.8 μg·mL−1 for PG. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 3% and the accuracies ranged from −3.46% to 3.03%. The recoveries of PG from human liver microsomes (HLMs) were 96.5%-98.6%. The method was successfully used to determine the kinetics of propofol glucuronidation in human and different animals liver microsomes. The results indicated that the kinetics of propofol O-glucuronidation in liver micro-somes from human, mouse, rabbit and sheep were fitted to the substrate inhibition equation, whereas the kinetics in rat liver micro-somes was fitted to the two-enzyme Michaelis–Menten equation. The intrinsic clearance (CL int ) of propofol glucuronidation in different liver microsomes was in the order of mice > rats (CL int1 +CL int2 )>sheep>rabbits>human. Conclusion: The method is rapid, sensitive and selective for assay of UGT1A9 activities in liver microsomes. The results indicated that the kinetics of propofol O-glucuronidation in rat liver microsomes is different from that in HLMs, and the CL int value for propofol O-glucuronidation in liver microsomes from mice, sheep, and rabbit are remarkably higher than that in HLMs. In animal experiments for drug development, these interspecific differences should be taken into consideration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Seed dispersal is a key process within community dynamics. The spatial and temporal variations of seed dispersal and the interspecific differences are crucial for understanding species coexistence and community dynamics. This might also hold for the mixed evergreen broadleaved and deciduous forests in the mountains of subtropical China, but until now little existing knowledge is available for this question. In 2001, we chose to monitor the seed rain process of our mixed evergreen broad-leaved and deciduous forest communities in Mount Dalaoling National Forest Park, Yichang, Hubei Province, China. The preliminary analyses show obvious variations in seed rain density, species compositions and timing of seed rain among four communities. The average seed rain densities of the four communities are 2.43 ± 5.15, 54.13 ± 182.75, 10.05 ± 19.30 and 24.91 ± 58.86 inds./m2 , respectively; about one tenth the values in other studies in subtropical forests of China. In each community, the seed production is dominated by a limited number of species, and the contributions from the others are generally minor. Fecundity of evergreen broadleaved tree species is weaker than deciduous species. The seed rain of four communities begins earlier than September, and stops before December, peaking from early September to late October. The beginning date, ending date and peak times of seed rain are extensively varied among the species, indicating different types of dispersal strategies. According to the existing data, the timing of seed rain is not determined by the climate conditions in the same period, while the density of seed rain may be affected by the disturbances of weather variations at a finer temporal resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a theoretical model to quantify the influence of diversity on productivity and nutrient acquisition in plant communities during exponential growth. The model fractionates diversity into three components, namely species richness (S), species evenness (E) and the degree of difference between species (D). The influence of each of these components is assessed individually: S is varied by changing the number of species, E by changing their population size, and D by changing the range of species traits critical to productivity (specific nutrient uptake rate, σr, or nutrient use efficiency, NUE). D was quantified as the coefficient of variation of σr or NUE. All three components of diversity enhance the biomass and nutrient stocks in the community, but the response patterns are different. Species richness has a saturating influence, whereas effects of E and D are linear and exponential, respectively. In all cases the non-linear dependence of productivity and nutrient acquisition on σr and NUE during exponential growth was the single mechanism underlying these effects. This causes the presence of plants with extreme traits to promote productivity, and S, E and D all affect the abundance and/or intensity of these extremes. The model offers a framework to explain differences between experimental observations, and suggests a concept of diversity where S and E are structural components and D a qualitative or functional component, which modulates the influence of the two others. We propose to explicitly recognize D as an integral constituent of plant diversity in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seagrass beds act as blue carbon sinks globally; however, little attention has been given to carbon dynamics in the seagrass rhizosphere. Hence, in this study, the quantity and characteristics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from root exudation of the three dominant tropical seagrasses (Thalassia hemprichii , Enhalus acoroides , and Cymodocea rotundata) and sediment pore water beneath them were compared, to examine their interspecific differences, and to establish a connection between seagrass root exudation and sediment carbon. The rate of root-exuded DOC from T. hemprichii (2.15 ± 1.06 mg g DW root-1 h-1) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that from E. acoroides (0.72 ± 0.39 mg g DW root-1 h-1) and C. rotundata (0.46 ± 0.25 mg g DW root-1 h-1). Root exudation rates were more affected by root hair density and root hair length than by root carbon, nitrogen, and soluble sugar content. Simultaneously, DOC concentrations of the sediment pore water beneath T. hemprichii , E. acoroides and C. rotundata were 22.05 ± 11.61 mg l-1, 15.55 ± 2. 66 mg l-1, and 14.32 ± 1.82 mg l-1, respectively. The corresponding absorption coefficients at 254 nm (a 254) were 30.53 ± 18.00, 17.31 ± 2.24, and 14.07 ± 2.03, respectively, while the relevant specific ultraviolet absorbances at 254 nm (SUVA 254) were 1.38 ± 0.29, 1.19 ± 0.26 and 1.03 ± 0.28, respectively. Therefore, the roots of T. hemprichii exuded DOC at a higher rate, leading to a higher pore-water DOC pool in the sediment. This suggests that T. hemprichii played a greater role in the sediment carbon pool through root exudation. Thus, it can be considered as the priority species for transplantation to promote the carbon sink function of seagrass beds. [Display omitted] • Interspecific differences in root exudation existed among three tropical seagrasses. • Higher rate of root-exuded DOC from Thalassia hemprichii was observed. • T. hemprichii played a greater role in sediment carbon pool through root exudation. • T. hemprichii can be the priority species for transplantation to promote carbon sink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horizontal and vertical distributions of fine root abundance (mass per unit ground surface area) were investigated in a densely planted larch-ash-stripe-mixed forest on dark brown forest soil in northeast China. There was evidence for some degree of below-ground niche partitioning (or differentiation) between the two species in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The ash fine roots largely penetrated into the larch belt (larch sub-community) in surface soil (0–20 cm). indicating a possible inductive effect of larch ecological field on ash roots: while the penetration of larch fine roots into ash belt (ash sub-community) was much restricted, which reflected a negative influence of ash ecological field on larch roots. In the vertical direction of marginal soil, the ash fine roots were mainly distributed in topsoil with a vertical gradient similar to that as in the internal ash sub-community, but the larch fine roots were relatively compelled to deeper soil layers by the competition (or exclusion) of marginal ash trees. All the differences or complementarity were considered to the result of interspecific competition, which was important to the coexistence of the two forest species and the sustainability of mixed plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of SO on the photosynthesis of Clethra barbinervis collected from a smoke-polluted area near the Ashio copper smelter in Tochigi Prefecture was compared with C. barbinervis collected from a nonpolluted district in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture and Quercus mongolica var. grosseserrata grown in a nonpolluted field in Nagano Prefecture. The plants were exposed to 0.5-1.5 p.p.m. SO for 90 min (short-term) and to 0.3 p.p.m. SO for 31-39 days (long-term). The Clethra plants from both sites had a lower intrinsic stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate than Quercus plants. Short-and long-term fumigation caused stomatal closure in Quercus plants, but had little effect on the stomatal conductance of Clethra plants. Under short-term fumigation, nonstomatal photosynthetic inhibition per unit of absorbed SO was smallest in Clethra plants from Ashio. Long-term fumigation caused photosynthetic decline and visible foliar injury to Quercus plants, but had no effect on Clethra plants from Ashio. Consequently, Clethra plants from Ashio had a higher photosynthetic rate than Quercus plants after long-term fumigation. These results suggest that C. barbinervis populations in the smoke-polluted area of Ashio had evolved high SO resistance connected with SO detoxification ability in mesophyll cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]