A rapid assessment of landscape biodiversity using diversity profiles of arthropod morphospecies

Context

The assessment of land-use impacts on biodiversity is one of the central themes of landscape ecology and conservation biology. However, due to the complexity of biodiversity, it is impossible to obtain complete information about the diversity of all species even for small areas, necessitating the selection of individual species or assemblages thereof as species surrogate. In parts of the world where taxonomic expertise is lacking, species identification has hindered progress in biodiversity conservation, and the only practical, relatively-accurate option, is the use of taxonomic minimalism.

Objective

We carried out a rapid biodiversity assessment based on three surrogates—land-use (driver-surrogate), terrestrial arthropods (species-surrogate) and morphospecies (taxonomic-surrogate)—to determine the impacts of land-use on biodiversity of the Western Region (Ghana), an area covering ~4 % of the West African biodiversity hotspot.

Method

We used diversity profiles to visualize the distribution of a total of 8848 arthropod individuals over seven land-use types which define the complete heterogeneity of the landscape.

Results

Here, we present both sample and asymptotic diversity profiles of arthropod morphospecies for each land-use type and the potential of each land-use type for conserving arthropods.

Conclusions

We conclude that (1) the morphospecies approach is useful for detecting differences in species diversity of land-use types; (2) the concept of asymptotic diversity may not be necessary for land-use based biodiversity comparison; and (3) maximum diversity profiles are useful for determining the land-use conservation values in cases where pristine areas are not available.

     

A network model framework for prioritizing wetland conservation in the Great Plains

Context

Playa wetlands are the primary habitat for numerous wetland-dependent species in the Southern Great Plains of North America. Plant and wildlife populations that inhabit these wetlands are reciprocally linked through the dispersal of individuals, propagules and ultimately genes among local populations.

Objective

To develop and implement a framework using network models for conceptualizing, representing and analyzing potential biological flows among 48,981 spatially discrete playa wetlands in the Southern Great Plains.

Methods

We examined changes in connectivity patterns and assessed the relative importance of wetlands to maintaining these patterns by targeting wetlands for removal based on network centrality metrics weighted by estimates of habitat quality and probability of inundation.

Results

We identified several distinct, broad-scale sub networks and phase transitions among playa wetlands in the Southern Plains. In particular, for organisms that can disperse >2 km a dense and expansive wetland sub network emerges in the Southern High Plains. This network was characterized by localized, densely connected wetland clusters at link distances (h) >2 km but <5 km and was most sensitive to changes in wetland availability (p) and configuration when h = 4 km, and p = 0.2–0.4. It transitioned to a single, large connected wetland system at broader spatial scales even when the proportion of inundated wetland was relatively low (p = 0.2).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that redundancy in the potential for broad and fine-scale movements insulates this system from damage and facilitates system-wide connectivity among populations with different dispersal capacities.

     

Establishment of a comprehensive indicator system for the assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services

Context

Common indicators are needed to monitor biodiversity loss and the implications for the sustainable provision of ecosystem services (ES). A plethora of different sets of indicators may hinder the identification of major endpoints for large-scale assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES).

Objectives

We aim to describe the main challenges of indicators for BES assessment and provide suggestions for establishing a comprehensive indicator system.

Methods

An extensive literature review was conducted in this study. We review the main challenges of indicators for BES assessment and propose corresponding improvements from our perspectives of theory and practical applications.

Results

The main theoretical challenges of existing indicators include inconsistent definitions and classifications of ES, misunderstanding of linkages among biodiversity, ecosystem structure, functions and services, and practical problems relate to such issues as indicator representativeness, data availability, and uncertainty. Our suggested improvements include clarifying the main terms, concepts and classification of indicators, establishing a robust conceptual framework with clear interactions among different components and indicators, selecting indicators based on ecosystem properties, streaming existing data into one platform, and strengthening validation of proxies. The steps for constructing a comprehensive indicator system for BES assessment are summarized.

Conclusions

Clear definitions of key terms are indispensable to classify indicators and construct a conceptual framework. Improved understanding of the relations among indicators of biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and ES across multiple scales can guide the development of the indicator system. The integrated indicator system is an important tool for BES assessment to support decision making for sustainable development.

     

Rapid detection of contagious ecthyma by loop-mediated isothermal amplification and epidemiology in Jilin Province China

The aim of this experiment was to develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and to research the recent epidemiology of contagious ecthyma in Jilin Province, China, using the assay. A LAMP assay targeting a highly conserved region of the F1L gene was developed to detect contagious ecthyma virus (CEV). Three hundred and sixty-five cases from 64 flocks in 9 different areas of Jilin Province, China, from 2011 to 2014 were tested using the LAMP assay. The results showed that the sensitivity of the LAMP assay was 100 copies of the standard plasmid, which is 100-fold higher than the sensitivity of PCR. No cross-reactivity was observed with capripoxvirus, fowlpox virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype O, foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype Asia I and bluetongue virus. The average positive rate was 19.73% (72/365), and the positive rate was highest in lambs aged 1–6 months. Our results demonstrated that CEV infection was very widespread in the flocks of Jilin Province and that the LAMP assay allows for easy, rapid, accurate and sensitive detection of CEV infection.     

Symbiotic N<Subscript>2</Subscript> fixation and nitrate utilisation in irrigated lucerne (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa</Emphasis>) systems

Symbiotic N₂ fixation by lucerne (Medicago sativa) has capacity to provide significant inputs of N to agro-ecosystems, and the species has also been shown to scavenge soil mineral N and thus act as a sink for excess reactive N. The balance between these two N cycle processes was investigated in an extensive irrigated lucerne growing region where nitrate contamination of groundwater has been reported. We sampled 18 permanent pure lucerne stands under irrigation for standing dry matter, total shoot N, and N₂ fixation using ¹⁵N natural abundance along with activity of the inducible enzyme nitrate reductase as indicators of use of soil NO₃⁻ by lucerne. On average 65% of lucerne N was obtained from symbiotic N₂ fixation. Converting standing dry matter estimates to annual N₂ fixation amounts we calculated average N₂ fixation of 311 kg N/ha, including N in roots and nodules. Uptake of N from soil by lucerne was calculated to be 181 kg N/ha/year. We were not able to identify the source of this soil mineral N, although nitrate reductase activity of lucerne was higher than that of non-N₂ fixing species examined.     

TCDCA对IL-1β刺激下AA大鼠成纤维样滑膜细胞中PGE2分泌的影响

[目的] 进一步探讨牛磺鹅去氧胆酸（taurochenodeoxycholic acid,TCDCA）在抗炎免疫方面的潜在调节作用。[方法] 以AA大鼠成纤维样滑膜细胞作为研究对象,采用ELISA方法检测TCDCA和IL-1β作用下AA大鼠成纤维样滑膜细胞上清液中PGE₂的含量,分析TCDCA对IL-1β刺激下AA大鼠成纤维样滑膜细胞中PGE₂分泌情况的影响。[结果] TCDCA能够对IL-1β刺激下AA大鼠纤维样滑膜细胞PGE₂的分泌产生下调作用（P<0.05）。[结论] TCDCA对IL-1β刺激下AA大鼠成纤维样滑膜细胞中PGE₂的分泌具有抑制作用,为TCDCA在兽医临床应用提供依据。     

基于EOF的渭河流域干旱时空分布特征研究

【目的】探究渭河流域气象干旱的时空分布特征及演变规律,为该流域社会经济的可持续发展提供支持。【方法】以渭河流域1960-2016年20个气象站逐月降水量和月平均气温数据为基础,基于标准化降水蒸散指数定量描述干旱,并运用经验函数正交分析法(EOF)对渭河流域各站点组成的历史干旱指数矩阵进行分解,分离干旱场的时空分布结构;采用具有一定物理意义的互不相关的典型分布模态代替原干旱场研究流域干旱空间分布规律,采用典型分布模态对应的时间系数研究流域干旱的时间分布规律。【结果】渭河流域气象干旱场干旱指数矩阵分解得到的前5个特征值的累积方差贡献率达到86.44%,但仅前2个特征值通过了North显著性检验,累积方差贡献率接近75%;模态一时间系数的线性趋势斜率小于0,且通过了0.01显著性水平检验;模态一时间系数于1984年、1986年、1989年发生3次突变,到1996年达到0.05显著性水平。【结论】渭河流域气象干旱场存在全流域一致型和东南-西北反位相型两种空间分布模态,两种空间分布模态对应全流域干旱少雨、湿润多雨、东南湿润西北干旱、东南干旱西北湿润4种干旱表现形式;模态一时间系数有显著减小趋势,反映流域干旱化趋势日益显著,而模态二时间系数无显著变化。     

纳米Fe3O4负载酸改性炭对水体中Pb2+、Cd2+的吸附

为探讨纳米Fe₃O₄负载联合硝酸改性椰壳炭对Pb²⁺、Cd²⁺单一及复合溶液的吸附特性，通过静态吸附实验，针对吸附剂的表面特性、投加量、溶液初始pH、吸附时间、重金属初始浓度等影响因素进行了探讨，应用等温吸附模型及吸附动力学模型对吸附特性进行了研究。结果表明，纳米Fe₃O₄负载酸改性炭比表面积较未改性椰壳炭增加了221.03 m²·g^-1，表面含氧官能团如O-H、C=O、C-O-C增加，芳香性增强，等电点提高至5.68。从经济效率角度考虑5 g·L^-1为合理吸附剂用量，pH为5.0时，吸附效果最好，吸附在4 h达到平衡。准二级动力学模型对吸附的拟合度更高，吸附主要是化学吸附，吸附由快速外扩散和颗粒内扩散共同作用，Pb²⁺、Cd²⁺的吸附分别更符合Langmuir和Freundlich等温吸附模型。纳米Fe₃O₄负载酸改性椰壳炭对Pb²⁺、Cd²⁺的最大吸附量（Q_m）分别达42.54 mg·g^-1和25.79 mg·g^-1，为未改性椰壳炭的1.87倍和2.23倍，复合溶液中Pb²⁺、Cd²⁺的Q_m分别为单一溶液的65.16%和54.21%，这揭示了离子共存条件下的吸附竞争现象。研究表明，纳米Fe₃O₄负载联合硝酸改性提高了椰壳炭对Pb²⁺、Cd²⁺的吸附能力，且Pb²⁺的吸附性能及吸附竞争性优于Cd²⁺。     

Characterization of resistance to the wheat stem sawfly in spring wheat landrace accessions from targeted geographic regions of the world

Plant landraces have long been recognized as potential gene pools for biotic and abiotic stress-related genes. This research used spring wheat landrace accessions to identify new sources of resistance to the wheat stem sawfly (WSS) (Cephus cinctus Norton), an important insect pest of wheat in the northern Great Plains of North America. Screening efforts targeted 1409 accessions from six geographical areas of the world where other species of grain sawflies are endemic or where a high frequency of accessions possesses the resistance characteristic of solid stems. Resistance was observed in approximately 14% of accessions. Half of the lines displayed both antixenosis and antibiosis types of resistance. Among the resistant accessions, 41% had solid or semi-solid stems. Molecular genetic screening for haplotypes at the solid stem QTL, Qss.msub.3BL, showed that 15% of lines shared the haplotype derived from ‘S-615’, the original donor of the solid stem trait to North American germplasm. Other haplotypes associated with solid stems were also observed. Haplotype diversity was greater in the center of origin of wheat. Evaluation of a representative set of resistant landrace accessions in replicated field trials at four locations over a three year period identified accessions with potential genes for reduced WSS infestation, increased WSS mortality, and increased indirect defense via parasitoids. Exploitation of distinct types of plant defense will expand the genetic diversity for WSS resistance currently present in elite breeding lines.     

Development of male-specific markers and identification of sex reversal mutants in papaya

Papaya is a productive and nutritious fruit grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. It is polygamous with three sex types: female, male and hermaphrodite. Sex determination in papaya is controlled by an XY sex chromosome system with two slightly different Y chromosomes, Y for males and Y^h for hermaphrodites. Comparative analysis of the hermaphrodite-specific region of Y^h chromosome (HSY) and male-specific region of Y chromosome (MSY) revealed 99.6% sequence identity, which explains why DNA markers that amplify for both males and hermaphrodites have easily been developed, but not for the male trait specifically. We examined the 0.4% sequence differences, and found 1887 indels and 21,088 SNPs between MSY and HSY. The vast majority of indels are single nucleotide or few base pairs. A large male-specific retrotransposon insertion of 8396 bp was used to develop two papaya male-specific markers, PMSM1 and PMSM2 that amplify 585 and 548 bp fragments, respectively. These two markers were tested in 11 gynodioecious and four dioecious varieties along with autosomal DNA marker 71E and male/hermaphrodite marker W11, and the results showed clear separation of male from hermaphrodite and female. PMSM1 and PMSM2 were also used to test the sex type of six sex male-to-hermaphrodite reversal mutants which are crucial materials for validating candidate genes for sex determination in papaya. Our result showed all six mutants were positive for the male-specific markers. These male-specific markers can be used to distinguish gynodioecious and dioecious cultivars in papaya seed market, and facilitate genetic and genomic research for papaya improvement.