Spatiotemporal patterns of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in response to a restoration of longitudinal connectivity

To examine the role of longitudinal connectivity on the spatial and temporal dynamics of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), we quantified movement and population dynamics following installation of the Landsburg Dam fishway, Cedar River, WA, USA. Mountain whitefish is widely distributed, poorly studied and not the focus of restoration. Before the fishway, mountain whitefish were not observed above the dam. Here, we focus on snorkel counts collected at reach and mesohabitat (e.g. pools) scales over 11 summers on the 20‐km above‐dam segment following restoration. A camera within the ladder provided number, size and movement timing, thereby informing on behaviour and recolonisation. Segment‐scale abundance increased following fish passage reaching an asymptote in 7 years, and mountain whitefish were detected throughout the main stem in 10 years. Annual movement through the ladder increased over time and was positively correlated with instream abundance and discharge, but negatively correlated with water temperature. About 60% of fish movements occurred in spring and early summer, potentially for foraging opportunities. Reach‐scale abundance peaked between 7 and 10 km from the dam; deep, cool (~10.6 to 11.6°C) conditions characterised these reaches. At the mesohabitat scale, mountain whitefish detection increased with depth and velocity after accounting for distance from the dam. Our results show how restoring longitudinal connectivity allowed this nontarget species to colonise newly available habitat. Their response supports the critical roles of longitudinal connectivity and environmental conditions, that manifest at different spatial scales, in dictating how freshwater fish respond to habitat disturbance.     

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.     

New Pseudococcidae species on Cupressus macrocarpa in Tunisia: first report of Planococcus vovae

In May 2017 and 2018, Planococcus vovae (Nasonov) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was collected in Hammam Sousse (Tunisia) on the ornamental plant Cupressus macrocarpa (Cupressaceae). The infestation was observed on needles which showed symptoms of desiccation and chlorosis. This is the first record of P. vovae in Tunisia and in North Africa.     

覆盖作物翻压对华北平原春玉米产量和土壤养分的影响

冬季覆盖作物-春玉米种植模式是减缓华北平原冬小麦减少导致的耕地裸露及其环境影响的新型农业生产方式,但其翻压后对华北平原下一季春玉米生长季作物产量和土壤养分及微生物学性质的影响研究鲜见。本研究以华北平原冬闲田-玉米(WFM)为对照,设置毛叶苕子-玉米(VrM)、二月兰-玉米(OvM)以及冬油菜-玉米(BcM)3个覆盖作物处理,通过盆栽试验研究了冬季种植覆盖作物翻压对玉米生长季土壤理化性质、微生物量和玉米生长特性的影响。结果表明:(1)翻压覆盖作物显著提高了玉米产量以及作物养分吸收量。与WFM处理相比,OvM处理秸秆产量和籽粒产量提高幅度最大,分别为33.3%和35.5%(P0.05);BcM处理地上部氮、磷、钾和地下部磷素吸收量显著提高(P0.05),分别为30.7%、74.7%、57.6%和171.4%。(2)翻压覆盖作物能显著提高0～10和10～20 cm土层有机质、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾、全氮和全钾含量(P0.05)。此外,翻压覆盖作物能显著降低玉米幼苗期土壤NH_4~+-N和NO_3~--N含量(P0.05),范围为0.50～3.52和21.40～33.13mg·kg~(-1)。(3)在玉米的不同生育期,覆盖作物翻压处理的SMBC、SMBN和SMBP均显著高于冬闲处理(P0.05)。综合翻压覆盖作物对华北平原玉米产量及土壤理化性质和微生物量含量的影响,华北平原冬油菜-玉米和二月兰-玉米轮作模式效果较好。     

藏北羌塘牧民家庭人口特征和收入构成之间的关系

为探讨牧民家庭人口特征和收入构成之间的关系，通过半结构式访谈调查了藏北羌塘高寒草甸、高寒草原和荒漠草原区682户牧民，比较了其家庭规模、劳动力、抚养比、草场面积、放牧强度、家庭收入及其多样性的差异，结合多元线性回归评价了家庭人口特征对收入构成的影响。结果显示：羌塘地区牧民家庭规模大（5.3人·户^-1）、抚养比高（0.62）、劳动力充足（3人·户^-1）但受教育年限短（2.3年），高度依赖政策性收入；高寒草甸区牧民家庭规模、劳动力数量及受教育年限、抚养比和放牧强度等指标显著高于高寒草原和荒漠草原区（P<0.05），后两者之间无显著差异；荒漠草原区牧民家庭草场面积和政策性收入较高（P<0.05）；家庭规模、文盲率和抚养比是影响高寒草原和荒漠草原牧民收入构成的主要因子，人口特征对高寒草甸牧民收入影响不显著。综上所述，建议分区精准施策以提高牧民生计。     

杀线虫苏云金芽胞杆菌NBIN-863高含量悬浮剂的研制

目前我国微生物农药原药生产技术已达到甚至超过发达国家水平,但制剂技术却存在较大差距,主要体现在剂型结构不合理、制剂质量差、农药助剂种类及品种少、剂型加工工艺总体水平还比较落后等方面。苏云金芽胞杆菌（Bt）等功能微生物产品的市场容量及应用效果与剂型是密切相关的。为了明确新型生物杀线剂NBIN-863的最佳施用剂型,特开展此试验。通过对防腐剂、分散剂、悬浮剂等不同助剂的选择,研制了一种高含量Bt悬浮剂（5.2×10⁹～7.9×10⁹CFU/mL）。配方优化试验表明,在Bt发酵液中加入0.4%防腐剂山梨酸钾、1.0%分散剂硅酸镁铝、4.0%悬浮剂木质素磺酸钙,用盐酸调节pH至4.5,54℃热储前芽胞数最高为7.9×10⁹ CFU/mL,对秀丽隐杆线虫活性最高,LC₅₀为2.83 mg/L,对黄瓜根结线虫田间防效达68.64%。综合各指标,尤其是对秀丽隐杆线虫的半致死浓度,杀线虫NBIN-863悬浮剂（7.9×10⁹ CFU/mL）效果最好,不仅流动性好,而且耐贮藏,是防治作物根结线虫病的理想药剂。     

Incubation of ovine scrapie with environmental matrix results in biological and biochemical changes of PrPSc over time

Ovine scrapie can be transmitted via environmental reservoirs. A pool of ovine scrapie isolates were incubated on soil for one day or thirteen months and eluted prion was used to challenge tg338 mice transgenic for ovine PrP. After one-day incubation on soil, two PrP^Sc phenotypes were present: G₃₃₈ or Apl₃₃₈ii. Thirteen months later some divergent PrP^Sc phenotypes were seen: a mixture of Apl₃₃₈ii with either G₃₃₈ or P_338, and a completely novel PrP^Sc deposition, designated Cag₃₃₈. The data show that prolonged ageing of scrapie prions within an environmental matrix may result in changes in the dominant PrP^Sc biological/biochemical properties.