大口黑鲈载脂蛋白基因序列单核苷酸多态性及与生长性状相关分析

载脂蛋白(apoprotein,Apo)是血浆脂蛋白的重要组分,参与调节酶活性、脂肪运输与吸收和能量储存。为了探讨Apo基因多态性与大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)生长性状的相关性,本研究根据大口黑鲈EST库中ApoA1、ApoA4和Apo C1基因设计引物扩增这3个基因的DNA片段,采用直接测序法和序列比对在ApoA1基因上筛选到1个颠换单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)位点(A+489C),在Apo C1上筛选到2个颠换SNP位点(A+24G和A+75C),在ApoA4上筛选到1个转换SNP位点(A+633T)。利用Sna Pshot分型技术对从同批次繁殖和同塘养殖的大口黑鲈群体中随机选取的159尾鱼中的4个SNPs位点进行基因型检测,统计分析显示,4个位点在所检测大口黑鲈群体中处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态,且ApoA4基因上的A+633T和Apo C1基因上的A+24G和A+75C位点在群体中的基因型和等位基因频率一致,3个位点完全连锁。运用软件Spss15.0中的一般线性模型对4个SNPs位点与大口黑鲈全长、体高和体质量进行关联分析,结果表明,ApoA1基因上的A+489C位点的3种不同基因型大口黑鲈在体质量和体高性状方面的差异显著(P0.05);ApoA4基因上的A+633T位点和Apo C1基因上的A+24G和A+75C位点与生长性状的关联分析结果一致,不同基因型个体在全长、体高和体质量性状上的差异显著(P0.05)。A+489C、A+633T、A+24G和A+75C均与大口黑鲈生长性状显著相关,可作为大口黑鲈分子标记辅助选育研究的重要候选标记,应用于后续的分子辅助育种实践中。     

垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活多肽基因(PACAP)G3909A突变对秦川牛部分生长性状的影响

利用PCR-SSCP技术检测垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活多肽基因（PACAP）在257头秦川牛（Bos tarurs）群体中的多态性,并构建最小二乘分析模型,分析基因型与部分生长性状的相关性。结果表明,在该基因3909bp处发生G/A突变,基因型检测结果共发现3种基因型,AA、AB和BB,A和B等位基因的频率分别为0.5992和0.4008。卡方检测结果显示该位点在所检测秦川牛群体中处于Hardy-Weinbery平衡状态。方差分析结果显示：体斜长,AA、AB和BB基因型个体之间差异均达到极显著（P〈0.01）;体高,AA和AB基因型个体极显著高于BB基因型个体（P〈0.01）,AA基因型个体显著高于AB基因型个体（P〈0.05）;体重,AA和AB基因型个体极显著高于BB基因型个体（P〈0.01）;胸围,AA基因型极显著高于BB基因型个体（P〈0.01）,AA基因型个体显著高于AB基因型个体（P〈0.05）,AB基因型个体显著高于BB基因型个体（P〈0.05）;胸宽,AB基因型个体显著高于BB基因型个体（P〈0.05）;而其它性状差异均不显著。该位点可能是影响秦川牛体斜长、体高、体重、胸围和胸宽的主效QTN或与之紧密连锁,可作为秦川牛选育的侯选分子标记。     

草鱼羧肽酶A1基因(CPA1)部分片段的单核苷酸多态性(SNP)多态性及其与生长性状的关联分析

羧肽酶A (EC 3.4.16)是一类水解蛋白和多肽底物C端芳香族氨基酸或脂肪族氨基酸残基的消化酶.在草鱼生长相关的功能基因上研究单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与生长的相关性可为草鱼的分子辅助育种提供依据.本研究根据草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)EST-SNP库的羧肽酶A1基因(CPA1)重叠群的2个Contig扩增该基因的序列片段,采用直接测序法,经过序列比对,共筛到2个颠换SNP位点:C+412A和A36C,分别位于CPA 1基因外显子5的34bp和内含子3的36 bp处,前者为错义突变.然后用一个群体的296尾草鱼对这2个位点用SnaPshot的方法进行检测和分型,统计基因型频率:A36C位点的AA基因型占26.7％,AC基因型占52.0％,CC基因型占21.3％.C+412A位点的AA基因型占15.5％,AC基因型占40.5％,CC基因型占43.9％.利用一般线性模型分析2个SNP位点与草鱼体质量、体长等重要生长性状的关系.关联分析结果显示,C+36A位点不同基因型在体质量、眼间距均值上存在显著差异(P＜0.05).并且AA基因型和CC基因型在体质量、体长、体宽和眼间距上存在显著差异(P＜0.05).AA基因型各项指标均值显著高于CC基因型.C+412A位点在体质量等生长性状上差异不显著(P＞0.05),该位点和生长不相关,但是CC基因型和AC基因型在体重和肛前距上差异显著(P＜0.05),该位点CC基因型的6个生长性状均值都高于AA基因型.由两个位点组成的5种双倍型在体质量上存在显著差异(P＜0.05).双倍型D3和D5在体质量上存在差异显著(P＜0.05).双倍型D3和D8在体质量、体宽、体长、体长/头长等生长性状上都存在显著差异(P＜0.05).D3的各项指标均值最高,D8的各项指标均值最低.本研究结果显示,可以考虑将草鱼CPA1基因作为候选基因,用于草鱼的分子辅助育种.     

大黄鱼FST基因SNP筛选及与生长性状相关性分析

为探索FST基因单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与大黄鱼生长性状的相关性,本研究采用直接测序和高分辨率熔解曲线(HRM)法分别进行SNP位点筛查和验证分型。结果共筛查到19个SNP位点,其中2个在外显子1,8个在外显子2,7个在外显子3,外显子4和外显子5各1个,近端启动子区域未筛查到突变。位于外显子4的g.2169AC位点,AA基因型占96.8%,CC基因型占3.2%,多态信息含量为0.0600;位于外显子5的g.2998AG位点,AA基因型占63.2%,AG基因型占30%,GG基因型占6.8%,多态信息含量为0.2828,这2个位点均处于哈代-温伯格平衡状态。相关性分析表明,在g.2169AC位点,CC型个体各个生长性状(体重、体长、全长、体高)均大于AA型个体,但差异不显著(P0.05);g.2998AG位点,AG型个体各性状均值最大,GG型个体最小,但只在全长性状上基因型AG与GG存在显著性差异(P0.05),表明FST基因编码区的突变对大黄鱼的生长性状有一定的影响。本试验结果为大黄鱼育种中体型的选择提供了一定的理论依据。     

肌肉生长抑制素基因(MSTN)外显子1的多态性及其与边鸡生长性状的关联分析

为了对边鸡生长性状的标记辅助选择提供基础资料,本研究采用PCR-SSCP技术检测边鸡(Gallusgallus)及3个对照鸡(G.gallus)群体(京海黄鸡、尤溪麻鸡和Arbor Acre鸡)肌肉生长抑制素(myostatin,MSTN)基因外显子1的单核苷酸多态性,并与边鸡的生长性状进行相关性分析。结果表明,在边鸡、京海黄鸡和尤溪麻鸡中都检测到6种基因型(AA、AB、BB、BC、AC和CC),而在Arbor Acre鸡中只检测到4种基因型(AB、BC、AC和CC)。总共检测到3个多态位点(G2100A、G2109A和C2244G)。在6～8和12周龄时,BB基因型个体的体重显著高于AA基因型个体(P<0.05)。在14周龄时,BB基因型个体的体重显著高于AA和AC基因型个体(P<0.05)。在16～18周龄时,BB基因型个体的体重显著高于其余5种基因型个体(P<0.05)。研究结果提示,MSTN基因可能是影响边鸡生长性状的一个主效基因或是与之存在紧密遗传连锁的一个标记。     

大口黑鲈高密度脂蛋白结合蛋白基因(HBP)SNPs的筛选及与生长性状关联性分析

高密度脂蛋白结合蛋白(high density lipoprotein binding protein,HBP)在动物的脂肪代谢中发挥重要的作用。脂类是鱼类的重要能源物质,尤其是那些对糖类利用率很低的肉食性鱼类。HBP基因的单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)可能会影响脂肪代谢,而对大口黑鲈的生长性状产生影响,研究其SNP与生长性状的相关性可为其分子标记辅助选择提供候选标记。本研究根据大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)EST-SNP库中HBP基因的序列(GenBank accession No.KF652241),用直接测序法在HBP基因3'非编码区获得了3个SNPs位点:H1(G+2782T),H2(T+2817C)和H3(G+2857A);随机选择同批繁殖、同塘养殖的165尾大口黑鲈样本,对3个SNPs位点用SnaPshot方法进行检测和分型,分型结果用软件Popgene32进行遗传结构分析;运用软件spss17.0的一般线性模型(general linear model,GLM)对获得的不同基因型与生长性状进行关联分析。结果表明,3个位点均处于哈温平衡,其中H1和H2位点组成了两种单倍型(A和B),观测到3种基因型(AA、AB和BB);H1、H2和H3共组成6种双倍型(D1、D2、D3、D4、D5和D6)。不同基因型与生长性状的相关性分析显示,基因型BB在体质量和全长形态指标显著高于基因型AB(P0.05),双倍型D6在体质量和全长形态指标显著高于双倍型D4(P0.05)。本研究在大口黑鲈HBP基因3'非编码区获得了与生长性状相关的SNPs标记,可应用于大口黑鲈分子标记辅助选择育种。     

崂山奶山羊骨桥蛋白基因(OPN)部分片段多态性及其与生产性状的关联分析

骨桥蛋白(osteopontin,OPN)是一种分泌型糖基化磷蛋白,在介导骨组织细胞与骨基质的连接过程中发挥重要作用.为了加快奶山羊的遗传进展,为奶山羊生产性状的标记辅助选择提供理论依据,本研究利用DNA混合池技术和高分辨率熔解曲线分析技术,检测了崂山奶山羊(Capra hircus)泌乳母羊的OPN基因多态性,并采用最小二乘方法分析其与泌乳和生长性状之间的关联效应.在所有174只样本中共检测到2个SNPs,即位于第5内含子I355位点的C/T(以C/r表示)和第7外显子E341位点的C/T(以M/N表示),其多态信息含量(PIC)分别为0.2773和0.3267,其等位基因和基因型频率在育种场(F)和育种户(P)群体中的分布不均衡,I355位点的P群体偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(P＜0.05),其他均处于平衡状态(P＞0.05).在与泌乳性状的关联分析中,P群体除电导性状以外的所有性状表型值均极显著(P＜0.01)高于F群体;I355位点上,CC基因型个体的脂肪含量显著(P＜0.05)高于CT和TT基因型个体,灰分和冰点性状显著(P＜0.05)高于CT基因型个体；E341位点上,等位基因N为非脂肪物、乳糖率、乳密度、乳蛋白率、冰点以及灰分6个性状的有利等位基因,所有性状差异均不显著(P＞0.05).在与生长性状的关联分析中,F群体的体重和体长均极显著(P＜0.01)高于P群体；P群体的尻宽和尻长极显著(P＜0.01)高于F群体;I355位点上,TT基因型个体的体重极显著(P＜0.01)大于CC基因型个体；E341位点上,等位基因M为体高和胸围的有利等位基因,MM和MN基因型个体的体重和尻宽极显著(P＜0.01)高于NN基因型个体,MM基因型个体的体长极显著(P＜0.01)高于NN基因型个体,MM基因型个体的体高、胸围显著(P＜0.05)高于NN基因型个体.本研究发现OPN基因突变位点I355与乳中脂肪和碳水化合物的含量相关,突变位点E341与奶山羊的生长发育性状有显著的关联效应,可以作为奶山羊部分生产性状的分子遗传标记.     

五指山猪GH、IGFBP3基因SNPs检测及与生长性状的关联分析

以五指山猪为试验材料,采用PCR-SSCP和测序相结合技术,对GH基因和IGFBP3基因进行多态性检测,并分析其与生长性状（体质量,体高,体长和胸围）的相关性。结果表明,GH基因第2外显子存在一处G→A转换,属沉默突变,该位点与生长性状关联分析显示,BB基因型的体重显著高于AA基因型和AB基因型;IGFBP3基因第2外显子存在一处G→C颠换,属沉默突变,该位点与生长性状关联分析显示,AA基因型的体高显著高于BB基因型;IGFBP3基因第4内含子存在一处碱基C缺失,该位点与生长性状关联分析显示,AA基因型体重显著高于AB基因型和BB基因型。研究将为五指山猪生长发育规律、系统选育及矮小机制等方面研究提供了遗传学依据。     

大口黑鲈LPL基因SNPs及其与适应人工配合饲料能力的相关性研究

大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)为肉食性经济鱼类,喜食活饵或冰鲜鱼,养殖过程中大量投喂冰鲜鱼或大量使用鱼粉作为饲料,增加了养殖成本,且容易对环境造成污染。为了降低养殖成本、保护环境,使其适合喂食蛋白含量适中的人工配合饲料,提高大口黑鲈对人工配合饲料的适应能力,选育适合食人工配合饲料的大口黑鲈是解决这个问题的有效途径。有研究表明,饲料中的脂肪水平对大口黑鲈的脂蛋白脂肪酶(lipoprotein lipase,LPL)的表达水平有显著的影响。本研究以大口黑鲈LPL基因作为候选基因,根据已知的c DNA序列设计引物,PCR扩增测序得到大口黑鲈LPL type1基因组序列6 170 bp,包括10个外显子和9个内含子,LPL type2基因组序列4 419 bp,包括5个外显子和4个内含子。利用直接测序法,在LPL type1基因中筛选到11个SNP位点,在LPL type2中筛选到6个SNP位点。将1个喂食冰鲜鱼的成鱼养殖群体中的192尾鱼和1个幼鱼驯食养殖群体中的142尾鱼,分别用筛选得到的SNP位点进行基因分型,结果发现,在LPL type1基因中筛选到的11个SNP位点紧密连锁,用T+156A表示;在LPL type2基因中筛选到的6个SNP位点也紧密连锁,用C-224T表示,而LPL type1和LPL type1的SNP位点间不存在连锁关系,且SNP位点所构成的基因型在两个群体中的分布频率相似。将上述SNP位点所构成的基因型与两个大口黑鲈群体的体重、全长和体高等生长性状进行相关性分析,结果表明,LPL基因中的SNP位点虽然与成鱼的生长性状不存在显著的相关性,但在LPL type1基因T+156A SNP位点的AA基因型与TT基因型与幼鱼在驯食后的饱食与空腹状态存在显著的相关性,且AA基因型在幼鱼体质量和全长两个性状上存在显著的优势(P0.05),说明T+156A SNP位点与大口黑鲈适应人工配合饲料的能力有显著相关。LPL type1基因可作为提高大口黑鲈成活率、选育适合食人工配合饲料大口黑鲈的潜在候选基因。本研究为推进大口黑鲈适应人工配合饲料新品种的选育工作提供了可靠的研究数据,也为其他肉食性鱼类的驯食选育工作提供了借签和参考。     

奶牛IGFBP-3基因部分序列PCR-SSCP多态性与产奶量和生长性能的相关性

采用PCR-SSCP技术,对荷斯坦奶牛及荷斯坦公牛冻精杂交改良的黄牛后代(回交二代)共105头奶牛胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白3(IGFBP-3)基因内含子2部分序列和外显子3全部序列进行了多态性研究,分析了该基因与奶牛生产性状的相关性.结果表明:IGFBP-3基因第2内含子共存在2个等位基因3种基因型,A、B基因频率为O.7667和O.2333,AA、AB和BB基因型频率分别为0.6000、O.3333和0.0667.该群体在这一位点上处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态,遗传杂合度(H(e))和多态信息含量(PIC)分别为O.3578和为O.2937.测序结果显示,与普通黄牛该基因序列(AF305712)相比,B等位基因在第8 515碱基处发生了G→A的转换,而A等位基因在此处与AF305712序列相同.此外,A、B等位基因在第8 634碱基位置(属第3外显子区)均为c,而普通黄牛在此处为T碱基,该突变为同义突变.最小二乘法分析表明,AA基因型305 d产奶量和12月龄体重极显著高于AB和BB基因型(P<0.01);AA型12月龄体长和体高均极显著高于AB型(P<0.01),而BB型与AB型和AA型差异不显著;不同基因型的胸围和腹嗣差异不显著.     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.