Spider mite control and resistance management: does a genome help?

The complete genome of the two‐spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, has been reported. This is the first sequenced genome of a highly polyphagous and resistant agricultural pest. The question as to what the genome offers the community working on spider mite control is addressed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

基于MODIS 的沙漠化地区植被覆盖度提取模型的研究

目前常用的植被覆盖度遥感反演模型,受限条件较多,所用系数精度不高。针对上述问题,提出了利用研究区域的实测最大和最小植被覆盖度确定反演模型系数的方法和基于MODIS影像数据的地面实测验证方法。经用该方法对毛乌素沙地沙漠化地区的植被覆盖度进行反演,并同步监测该区域的地表覆盖度对反演结果进行验证,结果表明地面同步实测植被覆盖度与反演的误差绝对值平均值为0.04,反演方法精度较高。研究表明本文提出的利用MODIS影像数据反演沙漠化地区地表覆盖度的模型、地面验证方法切实可行,适合对沙漠化地区地表植被覆盖度大范围且快速的遥感监测。     

一株从酸菜中分离的产细菌素乳杆菌的鉴定及其所产抑菌物质的研究

从酸菜汁中分离出一株有抑菌活性的菌株,经鉴定为乳杆菌A5。温度、pH对菌株发酵上清液的影响以及发酵上清液对酶的敏感性的研究表明,发酵上清液中的抑菌物质对胃蛋白酶、木瓜蛋白酶较敏感,说明抑菌物质是一种蛋白质,确定为细菌素。该细菌素具有良好的热稳定性,在121℃20min的高温条件下,仍具有较强的抑菌活性。菌株所产细菌素在酸性条件下有较强的抑菌活性(pH3.0～5.0);菌株产生的细菌素可以较好地抑制革兰氏阳性、阴性菌,表明菌株所产细菌素是一类具有广谱抑菌活性的细菌素。     

塔里木河中下游胡杨与柽柳种群空间分布格局及关联性

为了揭示塔里木河中下游生态输水后胡杨与柽柳种群空间分布格局及关联性变化特征.以塔里木河中下游荒漠河岸植被建群种胡杨(Populus euphratica)和柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima)为研究对象,采用相邻格子法进行实地调查,并通过3个样地的6种不同取样尺度(10 m×10 m、10 m×20 m、10 m×30 m、20 m×20 m、20 m×30 m、20 m×50 m)计算方差与均值的比率以及5种聚集度指标,分析胡杨与柽柳种群的空间分布格局,同时利用2×2列联表χ2统计量、联结系数和共同出现百分率等测度方法,计算2个物种联结的性质和程度.结果表明:胡杨和柽柳种群的空间分布均呈显著的聚集分布;在胡杨、柽柳群落中,种间联结系数小于1,共同出现的百分率大于0,胡杨与柽柳呈现种间负联结,且联结程度随着生境的恶化而增强,种间竞争激烈.因此,本研究结果可为该区域防风固沙、水土保持和生物多样性等生态服务功能提供技术支持,也为系统评估和改进生态输水方案提供科学依据.     

Species and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) diversity among methicillin-resistant non-Staphylococcus aureus staphylococci isolated from pigs

While methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST398 is known to be widespread in pig farms, few studies have investigated the species diversity and SCCmec types of methicillin-resistant non-S. aureus staphylococci (MRNAS) residing in the nose of pigs. We examined nasal swab samples of 200 pigs originating from 10 Belgian pig farms previously found positive for MRSA ST398. Suspected staphylococcal isolates were subjected to a 16S rRNA-mecA-nuc PCR. Confirmed MRNAS were genotypically identified to the species level and investigated with a SCCmec typing PCR. MRNAS (n=72) were detected on all 10 farms and were carried by 29.5% of the pigs. Seven MRNAS species were found: Staphylococcus epidermidis (38.9%), Staphylococcus sciuri (18.1%), Staphylococcus pasteuri (18.1%), Staphylococcus rostri (12.5%), Staphylococcus warneri (8.3%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (2.7%) and Staphylococcus hominis (1.4%). SCCmec cassettes were of type IVa (29.2%), type IVc (25%), type III (22.2%), type V (5.6%) or could not be assigned to any of the known types (NT types) (18.1%). Five distinct NT types were found. The predominance of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) in our samples is remarkable, as MRSE is mainly associated with humans. The finding of three different SCCmec elements (IVa, V, NT type 1) in MRNAS that also prevail or predominate in MRSA ST398 shows that MRNAS might be an important SCCmec reservoir for MRSA in pigs. Yet, the occurrence of multiple other SCCmec types illustrates that further studies are required to understand the presence and spread of SCCmec in methicillin-resistant staphylococci from animals.     

Screening for methicillin-resistant staphylococci in dogs admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital

This study investigated the nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) in dogs (n=177) prior to medical examination or surgery in a veterinary teaching hospital. Nasal swab samples were collected after induction of anaesthesia and incubated overnight in salt enriched trypticase-soy broth. Cultures were analysed on two different agar media containing cefoxitin. Suspected MRS isolates were genotypically identified and characterised by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec)-typing. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were additionally characterised by spa-typing and multilocus sequence typing. The presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) genes was determined by PCR. MRS carriage was compared between animals with or without an infectious process. Two MRSA were isolated, both belonging to typical Belgian human hospital clones and lacking pvl. Additionally a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus carrying a type V SCCmec was detected. No relationship was observed between MRS carriage and presence of infections. The results suggest that MRS are present in dogs originating from the community, albeit at a low prevalence. This could pose risks for cross contamination of dogs and their owners.     

The potential of plantations of Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels for wood and biomass production (Mayombe Forest, Democratic Republic of Congo)

? In the 1940s–1950s, large limba (Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels) plantations were established in the Democratic Republic of Congo to reduce the pressure on the natural forests.

? The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of these long-rotation plantations as production forests (timber) and carbon sinks.

? Five different plantations, between 50 and 58 years old, were sampled. Over a sample surface of more than 73 ha, the diameter above buttresses of 2 680 trees, bole height of 265 trees and tree height of 128 trees was measured.

? To estimate the commercial volume, a nonlinear power law regression was used (R ² = 0.95). A power law variance function was applied to counter heteroscedasticity of the residual plot. Estimates of commercial tree and stand volume at 50 to 58 y were 5.6 ± 4.1 m³ and 183.9 ± 135.0 m³ ha^?1. Stand volumes appear low but are explained by a large decrease in tree density. However, the mean volume increment of 3.2–3.7 m³ ha^?1 y^?1 corresponds well with teak plantations of a similar age. For limba, aboveground biomass and carbon estimates of this study (resp. 108.4 and 54.2 Mg ha^?1) differ significantly from those of existing aboveground biomass models (resp. 135.7–143.9 Mg ha^?1 biomass and 67.9–72.0 Mg ha^?1 C). All aboveground biomass and carbon estimates for T. superba stands were lower than for the estimates of young fast-growing plantations like Tectona grandis L. f., Eucalyptus spp. and Acacia spp. (≤ 30 y).