Challenges facing arthropod biological control: identifying traits for genetic improvement of predators in protected crops

Biological control is an efficient pest control method but there are still limitations that are hindering its wider adoption. Genetic improvement of biological control agents (BCAs) can help to overcome these constraints, but the choice of key attributes for better performance that need to be selected is still an open question. Several characteristics have been suggested but the harsh reality is that selective breeding of BCAs has received a lot of attention but resulted in very little progress. Identifying the appropriate traits to be prioritized may be the first step to reverse this situation. In our opinion, the best way is to look at the factors limiting the performance of key BCAs, especially generalist predators (pesticide compatibility, prey‐density dependence, non‐suitable crops, and extreme environmental conditions), and according to these challenges, to choose the attributes that would allow BCAs to overcome those limitations. The benefits of selection for higher resistance to toxins, whether artificially applied (pesticides) or plant produced (plant defenses); increased fitness when feeding on non‐prey food (supplemented or plant‐derived); and better adaptation to extreme temperature and humidity are discussed. In conclusion, genetic improvement of BCAs can bring about new opportunities to biocontrol industry and users to enhance biocontrol resilience. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

金耳有效原种的配方和品种筛选

将生产中用到的两个金耳品种作为研究对象,将不同配方培养基中的菌丝、子实体生长状况进行对比,挑选出更适宜大规模生产的金耳品种,并探究麦麸在金耳有效原种制备中的必要性。研究结果显示,金耳1号菌丝较金耳2号更粗壮,长势更好,菌丝满瓶速度更快,子实体形态更好,更适合作为大规模生产的品种进行推广,且添加麦麸的配方更适合金耳1号原种生长。     

人工智能在农业上的应用分析

农业供给侧结构性改革是实现乡村振兴的必然途径。特别是在农业现代化发展的过程中， 人工智能应用到其中对于增强农业整体发展效果作用明显。本文将人工智能在农业上的应用作为研 究对象，概述了人工智能在农业上的应用，并从产前阶段、产中阶段、产后阶段等三个阶段对人工智能 在农业上的具体应用进行了研究。     

Macroalgal meadow habitats support fish and fisheries in diverse tropical seascapes

Canopy‐forming macroalgae can construct extensive meadow habitats in tropical seascapes occupied by fishes that span a diversity of taxa, life‐history stages and ecological roles. Our synthesis assessed whether these tropical macroalgal habitats have unique fish assemblages, provide fish nurseries and support local fisheries. We also applied a meta‐analysis of independent surveys across 23 tropical reef locations in 11 countries to examine how macroalgal canopy condition is related to the abundance of macroalgal‐associated fishes. Over 627 fish species were documented in tropical macroalgal meadows, with 218 of these taxa exhibiting higher local abundance within this habitat (cf. nearby coral reef) during at least one life‐history stage. Major overlap (40%–43%) in local fish species richness among macroalgal and seagrass or coral reef habitats suggest macroalgal meadows may provide an important habitat refuge. Moreover, the prominence of juvenile fishes suggests macroalgal meadows facilitate the triphasic life cycle of many fishes occupying diverse tropical seascapes. Correlations between macroalgal canopy structure and juvenile abundance suggests macroalgal habitat condition can influence levels of replenishment in tropical fish populations, including the majority of macroalgal‐associated fishes that are targeted by commercial, subsistence or recreational fisheries. While many macroalgal‐associated fishery species are of minor commercial value, their local importance for food and livelihood security can be substantial (e.g. up to 60% of landings in Kenyan reef fisheries). Given that macroalgal canopy condition can vary substantially with sea temperature, there is a high likelihood that climate change will impact macroalgal‐associated fish and fisheries.     

Assessing spillover from marine protected areas and its drivers: A meta‐analytical approach

Overfishing may seriously impact fish populations and ecosystems. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are key tools for biodiversity conservation and fisheries management, yet the fisheries benefits remain debateable. Many MPAs include a fully protected area (FPA), restricting all activities, within a partially protected area (PPA) where potentially sustainable activities are permitted. An effective tool for biodiversity conservation, FPAs, can sustain local fisheries via spillover, that is the outward export of individuals from FPAs. Spillover refers to both: “ecological spillover”: outward net emigration of juveniles, subadults and/or adults from the FPA; and “fishery spillover”: the fraction of ecological spillover that directly benefits fishery yields and revenues through fishable biomass. Yet, how common is spillover remains controversial. We present a meta‐analysis of a unique global database covering 23 FPAs worldwide, using published literature and purposely collected field data, to assess the capacity of FPAs to export biomass and whether this response was mediated by specific FPA features (e.g. size, age) or species characteristics (e.g. mobility, economic value). Results show fish biomass and abundance outside FPAs was higher: (a) in locations close to FPA borders (<200 m) than further away (>200 m); (b) for species with a high commercial value; and (c) in the presence of PPA surrounding the FPA. Spillover was slightly higher in FPAs that were larger and older and for more mobile species. Based on the broadest data set compiled to date on marine species ecological spillover beyond FPAs' borders, our work highlights elements that could guide strategies to enhance local fishery management using MPAs.     

基于热致液晶弹性体的仿生心脏泵的设计

为设计一款仿生心脏功能较佳的心室泵,采用柔性、热致伸缩的热致形变弹性体代替心肌,根据螺旋心室心肌带理论,选择心肌带的左心室段,并选取了Hilbert平面填充曲线作为热致导体在热致形变弹性体中的走行方式,设计出与真实心脏类似的心室泵结构.通过试验测量了所设计的心室泵的射血分数与心率,结果显示该心室泵的搏出量高于自然心脏,而其心率远低于自然心脏.相对于机械泵,所设计的心室泵结构与真实心脏类似,具有收缩能力强,射血分数高的优点,且不易破坏血细胞,生物相容性较好.不足之处在于,热致动液晶弹性体变形响应慢,暂时还未能达到正常心脏的心率.论证了构建双稳态结构,提高仿生心室泵效率的可能性,以及对于心肌纤维走向较为复杂的其他心肌带段,双轴拉伸机械雕刻对其仿生的可能性.此研究可为容积心脏泵的研发提供新的思路,也可以对右心衰竭等心脏疾病起到辅助治疗的作用.     

DNA barcoding of fish eggs collected off northwestern Cuba and across the Florida Straits demonstrates egg transport by mesoscale eddies

Identifying spawning sites for broadcast spawning fish species is a key element of delineating critical habitat for managing and regulating marine fisheries. Genetic barcoding has enabled accurate taxonomic identification of individual fish eggs, overcoming limitations of morphological classification techniques. In this study, planktonic fish eggs were collected at 23 stations along the northwestern coast of Cuba and across the Florida Straits to United States waters. A total of 564 fish eggs were successfully identified to 89 taxa within 30 families, with the majority of taxa resolved to species. We provide new spawning information for Luvarus imperialis (Louvar), Bothus lunatus (Plate Fish), Eumegistus illustris (Brilliant Pomfret), and many economically important species. Data from most sites supported previously established patterns of eggs from neritic fish species being found on continental shelves and oceanic species spawning over deeper waters. However, some sites deviated from this pattern, with eggs from reef‐associated fish species detected in the deep waters of the Florida Straits and pelagic species detected in the shallow, continental shelf waters off the coast of northwestern Cuba. Further investigation using satellite imagery revealed the presence of a mesoscale cyclonic eddy that likely entrained neritic fish eggs and transported them into the Florida Straits. The technique of combining DNA‐based fish egg identification with remotely‐sensed hydrodynamics provides an important new tool for assessing the interplay of regional oceanography with fish spawning strategies.     

Effect of Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and egg yolk on sperm motility,fertility and hatching rates of depik Rasbora tawarensis (Pisces: Cyprinidae) eggs after short‐term cryopreservation

Cryoprotectant is the crucial factor in the cryopreservation process. In general, there are two types of cryoprotectant, permeating and non‐permeating cryoprotectants. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and egg yolk are common permeating and non‐permeating cryoprotectants respectively. Hence, the objective of the present study was to determine the best proportion of DMSO and egg yolk for the cryopreservation of Rasbora tawarensis sperm. A completely randomized experimental design was used in this study which involves two types of cryoprotectant and their combination at different concentrations, namely 5% DMSO, 5% egg yolk, 5% DMSO + 5% egg yolk and 2.5% DMSO + 2.5% egg yolk. Every treatment was conducted in three replicates. Combination of 5% DMSO + 5% egg yolk gave the best results cryoprotectant treatment had significant effects on sperm motility, fertilization and hatching rate of the R. tawarensis eggs (p < .05). It is concluded that the best proportion of cryoprotectants for sperm cryopreservation in this species is 5% DMSO + 5% egg yolk.     

不同光质组合对生菜生长和能量利用效率的影响

【目的】筛选较优的光质组合,提高人工光植物工厂生菜产量和能量利用效率。【方法】以光强为200μmol/(m~2·s),R/B为4/1的红蓝光(RB)为对照,在光强为150μmol/(m~2·s),R/B为4/1的红蓝背景光基础上,分别添加50μmol/(m~2·s)的绿光(G)、黄光(Y)、橙光(O)和远红光(FR)组成4种不同光质组合处理,分别用RBG、RBY、RBO和RBFR表示,对不同光质组合处理生菜的生长及形态、光合能力、能量利用效率等指标进行比较研究。【结果】RBG、RBO和RBFR处理生菜地上部鲜质量较RB处理分别增加14.5%,14.5%和30.8%,地上部干质量分别增加13.3%,24.1%和29.9%(P0.05)。RBG处理可以增加生菜的株高、总叶面积、净光合速率和能量利用效率。与RB处理相比,RBY处理对生菜的地上部干、鲜质量影响不显著;RBO处理可以提高生菜叶片的光合能力和能量利用效率。RBFR处理可以增加生菜的地上部干、鲜质量,但在实际生产中,生菜叶片较易出现烧尖现象。【结论】RBG和RBO是工光植物工厂生产中较为合适的光质组合。     

硬质海岸防护设施的生态效应与对策

虽然滨海地区占地球陆地面积不足4%，但沿海生境是全球最有价值的自然资源之一。世界上超过三分之一的人口生活在距海岸线100 km的范围内。气候变化和人类活动使得全球海岸侵蚀和风暴潮威胁加重。海岸防护可以有效抵御海岸侵蚀、风暴风险和海平面上升。本文概述了全球主要沿海国家和地区（欧盟、美国、中国）海岸硬化情况以及海岸硬化带来的生态效应。欧洲海岸线硬化比例为10%（2006年），美国海岸的硬化比例为14%（2015年），而中国海岸线的硬化比例近60%（2014年）。海岸硬化会引起滨海湿地重要物理、化学和生物过程的改变，生境丧失和破碎化，以及生物连通性的改变。增加硬化设施的结构复杂性或由混合型海岸代替传统硬化海岸可以减轻海岸硬化对滨海湿地生态系统的威胁，但对硬质海岸和混合型海岸的生态服务功能以及抵御风暴能力的评估还比较缺乏，有待进一步研究。