Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2009. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

published_or_final_version / Ecology and Biodiversity / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2005. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 165-177). Also available on the World Wide Web.

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Submitted in fulfillment for the Degree of Masters of Applied Sciences (Biotechnology), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Activated sludge (AS) flocs are paramount in biological treatment of wastewater, are comprised of microbial consortia with organic and inorganic material bound together by extra polymeric substances (EPS). The filamentous bacteria play a vital role in the floc formation process by providing the necessary structural support. Presence of epiphytic attachment on selected filamentous bacteria is a commonly occurring phenomenon in activated sludge samples. Different theories have been proposed to describe this phenomenon; however, not much research has been carried out to explore the profundity of the attachment. In this study, an attempt has been made to elucidate the intrinsic nature of the epiphytic attachment between the bacterial rods and filamentous bacteria based on microscopic (morphological and structural) analysis. Characterization of these epiphytes were performed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) at group level using Alpha, Beta and Gamma Proteo-bacterial probes. Morphological characteristics of filament hosts and the bacterial rods at the interface region was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM micrographs indicated that the attachment was facilitated by more than the EPS layer. Further ultrastructural examination using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated a possible cell-to-cell interaction between epiphytes and the selected filaments. Fibrillar structures resembling amyloid-like proteins were observed within the filament cell targeted by the epiphytes. An interaction was apparent between the amyloid like proteins and the epiphytes as exhibited by the direction of fibrillar structures pointing towards the approaching epiphytes. Common bacterial appendages such as pili and fimbria were absent at the interface and further noted was the presence of cell membrane extensions on the epiphytic bacteria protruding towards the targeted filamentous cell. The sheath of host filaments however, remained intact and unpenetrated, during colonization. Amyloid-like fibrils at interface may potentially play the role of attachment sites for the attaching epiphytes, as attachment facilitating appendages were not visualized. / M

The thesis deals with the ecology of lichens in two contrasting types of forest, epiphytic lichens in old Picea abies forest of the fi re-refugia type and epigeic as well as epixylic lichens in a successional sequence of fire- susceptible Pinus sylvestris forests. Results in five separate papers form the basis for a discussion of general patterns of dispersal, succession and life strategies in lichens. The study sites were located in Medelpad and Väs­terbotten, in the central and northern part of Sweden, respectively. Special attention has been paid to the rare, pendulous, spruce-1ichen Usnea longissima and the coexisting lichen species. U. longissima is largely restricted to north-facing hill slopes covered with old, mesic spruce forest that is characterized by a very long continuity not disturbed by fire. A mar­ked decline in the number of sites with U. longissima was found. The decline was mainly due to the effect of different forestry practices as the species is very sensitive to environmental disturbances. The epiphytic lichen vegetation of six tree species occurring in the spruce forest is described. Clear successional trends with increasing tree size were • obtained for Alectoria sarmentosa, Bryoria fuscescens coll., B. nadvornikiana, Usnea filipendula' and U. subflorida'na, to a lesser extent for Bryoria capii-“" laris while U. longissima had no relationship to tree size or age. TTstudy of the litterfall of macrofragments of epiphytic lichens showed that thallus fragments were dispersed throughout the year with late autumn, winter and early spring as the most critical periods. It is suggested that dispersal through thallus fragmentation is more important in fruticose than in foliose species and that U. longissima has a shorter range of propagule transport than the other species of Alectoria, Bryoria and Usnea studied. The latter proposition was supported through a study of the horizontal patterns of lichen occurrence in the spruce forest. It is shown that the diversity in ground vegetation, after an initial in­crease, declines with succession in the pine forests. A mechanism of succes­sion in ground vegetation is presented which suggest that variations in habi­tat heterogeneity, i.e. the diversity of substrates caused by the initial dis­turbance and the stand development, largely determines diversity changes dur­ing succession. Trends of increasing thallus size, increasing size of asexual reproductive propagules and increased competitive ability with succession formed the basis for recognizing three types of strategies in Cladonia» It is concluded that lichens have features that are compatible with the r-K continuum and that they are variously adapted to both the stability of the substrates and that of the forest as a whole. / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1983, härtill 5 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

Those epiphytes which are inhabited by ants are reviewed; they comprise nine genera in four families. All are tropical and most are from the Far East. They probably all gain mineral nutrients from material brought by the ants. This contrasts with myrmecophytic trees and shrubs which are defended against insect herbivores by ants collecting food produced by the plant. five of the nine genera of ant-epiphytes belong to the Rubiaceae; two of these, Hydnophytum and Myrmecodia are highly diversified and specialized. They are found throughout the tropical Far East in a range of habitats, but are most abundant in open canopies. Ants (Iridomymex cordatus and I. cf. scrutator) occupy cavities in the enlarged hypocotyl. The 'tuber' cavities and other unusual morphological features are elaborated in Myrmecodia. For instance, spines of different types are derived from adventitious roots; internodes are condensed and covered by outgrowths at each leaf-base; stipules are enlarged and differ in their splitting. The inflorescence rachis is progressively reduced in Hydnophytum, and the flowers sunk in the stem in Myrmecodia. These structural changes possibly benefit the ants, but may have reduced the frequency of crosspollination, though some heterostyly is present. The morphology of the satellite genera (Myrrnephytum, Anthorhiza and Squamellaria) shows some parallels with that of Myrmecodia. The five genera are united as a subtribe - the Hydnophytinae. Detailed taxonomic treatment of Myrmecodia and the satellite genera, but not Hydnophytum, is given. Myrmecodia is reduced from 43 to 18 species. One is a variable, widespread, lowland species which is divided into informal categories. One is polytypic with three subspecies, four are variable, but not divided, and the rest are monotypic, geographically restricted, mostly montane species. The pattern of variation is often reticulate, and a hierarchy or infrageneric grouping was not identified. Myrmecodia and the satellite genera appear to have evolved independently from Hydnophytum-like ancestors. Structures probably advantageous to the ants have arisen repeatedly, but may also have led to inbreeding and taxonomic difficulty. The more sophisticated symbiosis in Myrmecodia may be reflected by the more mesomorphic nature of that genus, and is a prime example of coevolution between higher plants and animals.

Entre os vegetais existem duas estratégias distintas para superar as condições de estresse hídrico que condicionam a sensibilidade a dessecação (SD) que está associada a mecanismos de evitação e a tolerância a dessecação (TD) que envolve suportar o estresse hídrico diretamente no nível dos tecidos e no nível subcelular. Sabe-se que os custos acoplados aos mecanismos de dessecação e reidratação em espécies TD são elevados, e provavelmente superiores aos de espécies SD. Desta forma, a coexistência de espécies com estas estratégias, como ocorre no ambiente epifítico da Cidade Universitária Armando Sales de Oliveira (CUASO), induzem questões quanto a as vantagens relativas de espécies TD sobre SD. Devido aos altos custos da estratégia TD é possível propor que estas deveriam apresentar um ganho médio de carbono superior a de espécies SD durante o período favorável (com disponibilidade hídrica). Além disso, também é razoável esperar que as distintas formas de uso da água, vinculadas às estratégias, poderiam facilitar o convívio de espécies TD e SD através da segregação de nichos. Com intuito de verificar essas hipóteses, foram realizadas análises relacionadas a estrutura de comunidade de epífitas da CUASO e, a partir destas, a detecção da associação espacial mais freqüente, que resultou composta por Pleopeltis hirsutissima (TD) e Microgramma squamulosa (SD). Estas espécies foram então selecionadas para avaliar parâmetros associados à dinâmica do uso da água, assimilação líquida de carbono, dinâmica da capacidade de uso da luz, estado de hidratação foliar e pigmentos fotossintéticos. Os resultados apontaram que espécies de ambas as estratégias não apresentam sinais de estresse crônico no ambiente estudado. Os dados reforçaram as respostas contrastantes de TD e SD, refletindo as formas distintas de lidar com os recursos e condições do ambiente. Ao contrário do esperado, P. hirsutissima não apresentou uma assimilação de carbono superior a M. squamulosa, indicando que o ganho de carbono não é um dos fatores possíveis na compensação dos custos acoplados a sua estratégia (TD). Porém, os resultados apresentados quanto a dinâmica da capacidade de uso da luz sugerem que a coexistência é facilitada pela segregação de nichos de luz, sendo a espécie TD mais heliófila do que a espécie SD / In land plants the resistance to drought can be accomplished by two main strategies. One involves mainly dehydration avoidance mechanisms and the other is based on the ability to withstand drought at the tissues and down to subcellular levels. The former is found on the desiccation sensitive plants (DS) and the last describes the desiccation tolerant plants (DT). The metabolic costs of the desiccation tolerance mechanisms are probably high, at least when considering the cessation of photosynthesis during anabiosis - a condition that is absent in drought avoidance strategies. The coexistence of drought avoiders and desiccation tolerant plants in the same substrate and condition can rise some questions about the relative advantages of each strategy when submitted to similar water regime. We ask whether desiccation tolerant plants have a compensatory carbon gain under a watering regime that induces frequent anabiosis or cumulative damage in drought avoidance have a detrimental effect comparable to the costs of the desiccation tolerance. An analysis of the epiphytic plant community associated to the trees of the CUASO urban landscape showed a very frequent co-occurring species pair including the desiccation sensitive Microgramma squamulosa and a desiccation tolerant Pleopeltis hirsutissima, both cryptogams of the same plant family. These species were thoroughly examined regarding the patterns of light, water and carbon dynamics together with pigments concentration during cycles of natural drought and wet climate field conditions. These observations were complemented with experimental induction of different water and light regimes. The results showed no sign of chronic stress in both plants living at the same condition but allowed us to identify large distinctions in resource use patterns. A compensatory carbon assimilation was not found in P.hirsutissima. Both species have similar CO2 assimilation values. Experimental induction of drought in different light regimes allowed to verify a relative advantage in desiccation tolerant P.hirsutissima in comparison to the desiccation sensitive M.squamulosa under high irradiance values. Furthermore, light curve analysis suggest that they share the same tree but their niches differ in light intensity regime allowing the high frequency of co-occurrence observed in the field

Neste trabalho são estudadas epífitas, aqui consideradas como plantas vasculares usualmente encontradas sobre outras, sem parasitá-las, durante alguma fase do ciclo de vida. O local de estudos, a reserva da Cidade Universitária "Armando de Salles Oliveira" (aproximadamente 46o43’W, 23o33’S), em São Paulo-SP, é uma ilha de mata secundária em ambiente urbano e representa uma das poucas áreas cobertas por floresta na região. O clima em São Paulo é Cwa, com temperatura média anual de 19,2oC e precipitação de 1207 mm. As famílias de epífitas representadas são Polypodiaceae (9 espécies), Bromeliaceae (8), Orchidaceae (6), Moraceae (5), Araceae (4), Cactaceae (3), Piperaceae (1), Blechnaceae (1) e Araliaceae (1), totalizando 38 espécies, 3 delas exóticas. As epífitas representam 12% do total de espécies vasculares citadas para a reserva. Esta riqueza em espécies é maior do que seria esperada, dada a pequena pluviosidade local. Estão representadas todas as principais formas de vida epifíticas conhecidas. A estrutura do componente epifítico foi estudada em uma área contígua de 2000 m2 no interior da reserva, sobre todas as árvores de perímetro do caule a 1,30 m de altura (PAP) > 40 cm. As árvores foram mapeadas e espécie, altura, PAP e presença ou ausência de lianas foram registradas para cada uma delas. Dos 86 indivíduos arbóreos, 29 são de Alchornea sidifolia, 10 de Croton floribundus e 8 de Piptadenia gonoacantha, as espécies mais abundantes. Pterocarpus rohrii, Rollinia sylvatica e Myrcia tenuivenosa são citações novas para a reserva. Foram reconhecidas 2 subáreas na área amostrada, com base no estádio sucessional das árvores, evidenciando o caráter de mosaico da vegetação. Análises de distribuição de freqüências de DAP indicam o declínio das espécies mais abundantes e prevêem profundas alterações na estrutura da floresta. Foi feito um censo total dos indivíduos epifíticos com mais de 15 cm de comprimento presentes sobre todas as árvores amostradas. Foi considerado como indivíduo cada colônia, ou grupo compacto de plantas distintamente separado de outros da mesma espécie. Foram encontrados 380 indivíduos, sobre 58 árvores (67% do total). Para cada um deles foram registrados altura de fixação, diâmetro do substrato, inclinação, região da árvore (fuste; alta, média e baixa copa), tipo de substrato (bifurcação, cavidade e casca) e espécie. Análises detalhadas de distribuição ao longo das variáveis foram feitas para as 5 espécies mais abundantes: Microgramma squamulosa(75 indivíduos), Rhipsalis baccifera (67), Pleopeltis astrolepis (57), Aechmea bromeliifolia (52) e Polypodium hirsutissimum (45). O tamanho da árvore é positivamente correlacionado com a quantidade de epífitas que suporta. Há grandes variações entre as espécies arbóreas neste sentido. P. rohrii e Casearia sylvestris são as que suportam maiores quantidades de epífitas por indivíduo. As variáveis ligadas à árvore (espécie, DAP, estádio sucessional,subárea, presença ou ausência de lianas) parecem não influir na composição epifítica sobre ela. As epífitas apresentam ampla distribuição vertical e ao longo de diâmetros de substrato, com grande sobreposição entre as espécies e conseqüente ausência de estratificação. A. bromeliifolia apresentou preferência de estabelecimento em cavidades. A baixa copa e o fuste são as regiões das árvores com maior quantidade de epífitas. De forma geral, as epífitas têm preferência por alturas médias dentro da floresta (ca. 8 m), diâmetros grandes (10-30 cm), inclinações horizontais a médias e positivas. R. baccifera demonstrou preferência por P. rohrii como suporte; P. hirsutissimum e P. astrolepis, por A. sidifolia. M. squamulosa é a espécie de maior dispersão considerando-se todas as variáveis. / This work assesses floristics and structure of epiphytes, here defined as vascular plants usually found living on others, without parasitizing them, during at least a part of their life cycles. The study site, the reserve of the Cidade Universitária "Armando de Salles Oliveira" (nearly 46o43’W, 23o33’S), in São Paulo-SP (Brazil), is a secondary forested area isolated in urban environment and represents one of the few forested areas in this city. The climate type is Köppen’s Cwa, the mean annual temperature is 19,2 oC and the mean annual precipitation is 1207 mm. Polypodiaceae (9 species), Bromeliaceae (8), Orchidaceae (6), Moraceae (5), Araceae (4), Cactaceae (3), Piperaceae (1), Blechnaceae(1) and Araliaceae (1) are the families of epiphytes found at the study site, making up 38 species, 3 of them being exotic. Epiphytes are 12% of the vascular plant species cited for the reserve. This species richness is larger than expected in face of the little mean annual precipitation. All main epiphytic life forms are represented. The structure of the epiphyte community upon all the trees with girth of trunk at the height of 1,30 m (GBH) with more than 40 cm was studied in a 2000 m2 plot inside the reserve. The trees’ location inside the plot was mapped and species, height, GBH and presence/absence of lianas were recorded for each of them. From 86 trees, 29 were of Alchornea sidifolia, 10 of Croton floribundus and 8 of Piptadenia gonoacantha, the most abundant species. Pterocarpus rohrii, Rollinia sylvatica and Myrcia tenuivenosa are cited for the first time for the reserve. Two different subareas could be distinguished inside the plot as to the successional stage of the trees, an evidence for the mosaic character of the vegetation. DBH frequency distributions predict the decline of the most abundant species populations and consequent deep changes in the structure of the forest. A total census of the epiphytic stands more than 15 cm long was made upon all sampled trees. A stand was defined as a compact group of plants well separated from conspecifics. 380 stands were found, on 58 trees(67% of total). For each stand, height of attachment, branch or trunk diameter, inclination, height zone (trunk, lower, middle or upper crown), type of substrate (hole, fork or bark) and epiphyte species were recorded. The five more abundant species were analysed as to the distribution along the variables. They were: Microgramma squamulosa (75 stands), Rhipsalis baccifera (67), Pleopeltis astrolepis (57), Aechmea bromeliifolia (52) and Polypodium hirsutissimum (45). Tree height and DBH were positively correlated with number of stands and number of epiphyte species. There is great variability between tree species in these aspects. P. rohrii and Casearia sylvestris are the species with highest numbers of stands per tree. Tree characteristics such as species, DBH, successional stage, successional vegetation stage and presence/absence of lianas don’t seem to have influence on epiphyte composition on them. Epiphytes show broad vertical and diameter distributions. Species’ vertical and diameter distributions overlap largely and, as a consequence, there is no distinct stratification. A. bromeliifolia showed preference for establishment in holes. Lower crown and trunk were the zones with the largest number of stands. Epiphytes as a whole show preference for middle heights in the forest (ca. 8 m), large diameters (10-30 cm), horizontal to middle and positive inclinations. R. baccifera showed preference for P. rohrii as support tree; P. hirsutissimum and P. astrolepis showed preference for A. sidifolia. M. squamulosa is the most ubiquituous epiphytic analyzed species.

Os caixetais, florestas paludosas caracterizadas pela dominância de caixeta (Tabebuia cassinoides), têm hoje no Vale do Ribeira seus maiores remanescentes, mesmo tendo sido a caixeta um importante produto do extrativismo da região. O sistema tradicional de manejo da caixeta é caracterizado pela subutilização de recursos não madeireiros, apesar da riqueza e da abundância de formas de crescimento não arbóreas, especialmente bromélias epífitas de forte apelo ornamental. Estas são danificadas ou mortas durante a colheita de caixeta e deixadas na floresta, constituindo um resíduo da exploração de madeira. A ausência de conhecimento ecológico sobre estas bromélias epífitas, dificulta a sua inclusão no sistema de manejo. Ao mesmo tempo, diferentes espécies de bromélias são extraídas de forma predatória em toda Mata Atlântica e comercializadas apesar da proibição legal, o que juntamente com a ausência da regulação da atividade, aumenta a pressão do extrativismo clandestino destas espécies. O principal objetivo do presente estudo foi conhecer a composição florística e a estrutura das espécies de bromélias epífitas, considerando a distribuição espacial, a riqueza e a abundância em diferentes caixetais no município de Iguape. Foram identificadas 27 espécies de bromélias epífitas. No conjunto de 250 caixetas analisadas em cinco caixetais, as populações de Aechmea nudicaulis, Vriesia rodigasiana, A. coelestis e V. carinata foram as mais abundantes, sendo as três últimas, espécies atualmente comercializadas no setor atacadista de São Paulo. De maneira geral, as maiores abundância e riqueza de bromélias são encontradas em altura intermediária (2 a 6 m) e em caixetas como diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) > 15 cm. Uma vez que, foi verificado que o manejo da caixeta afeta negativamente a abundância e a riqueza de espécies da sinúsia de bromélias epífitas, são propostos parâmetros e procedimentos de \"bom manejo\" para melhoria do sistema, considerando a inclusão das bromélias no sistema de manejo atual e o manejo exclusivo destas. É imprescindível o monitoramento a longo prazo do impacto da colheita sobre a sinúsia de bromélias, para a definição de práticas de manejo e técnicas silviculturais que devem ser incorporadas para aprimorar o \"bom manejo\" das bromélias epífitas nos caixetais, do ponto de vista biológico. / In southeastern Brazil, there is a peculiar coastal swamp forest ecosystem, characterized by the dominance of caixeta tree (Tabebuia cassinoides), which represents an important product of extractivism for the local population. The traditional management systems of the caixeta forests do not consider the use of non-timber forest resources, ignoring the presence of many species with economic importance as the Bromeliaceae epiphytes with high ornamental value. During the harvesting these ornamental species are destroyed. The lack of ecological knowledge about Bromeliaceae\'s synusia represents an obstacle to its inclusion in the caixeta management system. At the same time, different species of Bromeliaceae are commercialized in a predatory manner not with standing legal prohibition, which along with the absence of regulation of the activity increases the illegal extractivism in the natural ecosystems in brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The main propose of this study was to analyze the Bromeliaceae epiphytes species floristic composition and the structure, taking in account their spatial distribution, richness and abundance in different caixeta\'s forests. Twenty seven (27) species of Bromeliaceae were identified. In five caixeta forests analyzed the population of Aechmea nudicaulis, Vriesia rodigasiana, A. coelestis e V. carinata were predominant. The three last species have been already commercialized in city of São Paulo. In general, both richness and abundance of the Bromeliaceae epiphytes were mainly found in the intermediary height (2-6 m) and host trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) > 15 cm. As it was observed that traditional caixeta management has a negative effect on bromeliads epiphytes, were suggested conducts of best management practices to improve the caixeta forest management. It was considered the inclusion of bromeliads in the caixeta management system and the exclusive bromeliads management. From the biological point of view, monitoring during a long period the impact of harvest of bromeliads is absolutely essential to establish the best management practices.