Evaluation on the fitness and population projection of Nilaparvata lugens in response to elevated CO2 using two-sex life table

Abstract

The life history and fitness of Nilaparvata lugens being reared under ambient level (current CO₂ concentration), medially elevated (550?µL/L) and highly elevated (750?µL/L) CO₂ concentration for long-term generation were compared using two-sex life table instead of traditional age-specific life table. The results showed that significantly longer larval duration and lower fecundity of N. lugens were observed in 750?µL/L relative to 550?µL/L treatment (P?<?0.05). Accordingly, 550?µL/L CO₂ significantly enhanced population parameters of N. lugens, including significantly higher intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate (λ) and net reproductive rate (R_O), but not for 750?µL/L CO₂. Taken together, N. lugens performs enhanced development rate, fecundity and survival in individual life history and higher potential in population multiplication under 550?µL/L CO₂ level, while only indicates the less enhanced development rate and survival without significant increased capacity of population expansion under 750?µL/L CO₂ level. These results should facilitate predicting the fitness and potential population damage of N. lugens, which is valuable for the integrated control of N. lugens in the future increasing CO₂ concentration.     

Threats to at-risk salmonids of the Canadian Rocky Mountain region

Trout and charr, members of the salmonid family, have high conservation value but are also susceptible to anthropogenic threats in part due to the specificity of their habitat requirements. Understanding historical and future threats facing these species is necessary to promote their recovery. Of freshwater trout and charr in the Canadian Rocky Mountain region, westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi), bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus; a charr species) and Athabasca rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are of conservation concern. And indeed, range contractions and declining populations are evident throughout much of their ranges. Range contraction was most evident in the southern Alberta designatable unit (DU) of westslope cutthroat trout. Diminished populations were also evident in the downstream watersheds of the Alberta bull trout range, and throughout the Athabasca rainbow trout range. We assessed historical and future threats to evaluate the relative importance of individual threats to each DU and compare their impact among species. Individual threats fall into the broad categories of angling, non-native species and genes, habitat loss and alteration, and climate change. Severity of each threat varies by DU and reflects the interaction between species’ biology and the location of the DU. Severity of threats facing each DU has changed over time, reflecting extirpation of native populations, changes in management and industry best practices, expansion of non-native species and progressing climate change. The overall threat impact for each DU indicates a high probability of substantial and continuing declines and calls for immediate action.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of burbot Lota lota in Germany: Implications for conservation and management

The genetic structure of the gadiform fish species, burbot Lota lota L., was investigated across Germany to derive management options for facilitating the preservation of genetic diversity. Sequence analysis of the mitochondrial control region (n = 244) and microsatellite analysis (n = 861) of specimens from 20 sites revealed genetic structuring between major river basins, and particularly between lake and river habitats. The admixture zone between the Eurasian and West European phylogenetic clades in Lake Constance was confirmed and expanded to include the drainage basins of the rivers Rhine and Schlei/Trave. Haplotype distribution and private haplotypes in single river basins indicated population differentiation and imply that German burbot constituted an important part of the entire species' diversity. The derived genetic structuring has implications for future stocking programmes and the preservation of the adaptive potential of burbot, a guiding species for oligotrophic lakes in Europe.     

喀斯特山区不同土地利用方式下石灰土化学风化特性

研究喀斯特山区不同土地利用方式（耕地、荒草地、退耕还草地和林草间作地）石灰土剖面化学风化特征，探讨矿质元素在石灰土剖面的分布、迁移和富集特征，从不同土地利用方式下土壤风化度，元素淋溶度、迁移度和残积度的角度分析土壤化学风化特征。结果表明：喀斯特山区石灰土剖面氧化物含量以SiO₂、Al₂O₃、Fe₂O₃为主，其他氧化物含量相对较低，均属于中等变异元素，SiO₂、Al₂O₃、MgO含量以荒草地较高，CaO、Na₂O含量以林草间作地较高，Fe₂O₃、MnO、P₂O₅、K₂O以耕地较高；研究区土壤处于中等化学风化阶段，富铝化程度弱，不同土地利用方式下荒草地土壤化学蚀变系数较强，林草间作地土壤富铝化程度较高；研究区土壤K、Na、Ca淋失严重，荒草地盐基离子淋失明显，林草间作地盐基离子淋失程度相对较低；土壤Fe、Al相对富集明显，残积程度高，林草间作地Al含量积累明显，退耕还草地Fe含量富集显著；实施“退耕—还草”等增加植被覆盖度的治理模式对土壤的保护作用显著。     

Density-dependent effects on salmonid populations: A review

We reviewed 199 published data sets (21 species) to assess the relative frequency of various density-dependent processes in salmonids. We examined studies for the presence or absence of density-dependence: in growth, mortality, fecundity and recruitment. Based on data from all studies pooled 71% showed density-dependence in growth, 23% found density-dependence in mortality, 2% detected density-dependence in fecundity and 4% displayed density-dependence in recruitment. Most studies at the population level (e.g. changes in abundance or means of growth, mortality or fecundity) demonstrated density-dependence; however, these studies were not common, likely because they require long time series of data (at least 3–4 times mean generation time for the species). Our review indicated there was no evidence that the probability of finding density-dependent effects differed among the 21 species examined, but the number of studies per species varied substantially (5 [minimum for analysis] – 20+); hence, this finding should be viewed as tentative. Most salmonid species showed evidence of density-dependence in growth; however, few studies examined density-dependent effects on fecundity or recruitment, and further study is needed on these phenomena. There was no evidence that density-dependent effects were restricted to a particular habitat type or geographic region.     

Molecular identification of blast resistance genes in rice landraces from northeastern India

Rice blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most devastating diseases causing huge losses worldwide. In the present study, major blast resistance genes were investigated in landraces originating from northeastern India. Based on phenotypic evaluation, 288 landraces were classified into three distinct groups: resistant (75), moderately resistant (127) and susceptible (86). The genetic frequencies of the 18 major blast resistance genes were between 6.2% and 27.4%, with only two genotypes possessing a maximum of nine blast resistance genes. The cluster and population structure analysis grouped the landraces into two groups. Through principal coordinate analysis, the scatter plots partitioned the resistant and moderately resistant landraces into different groups. Analysis of molecular variance showed maximum (96%) diversity within populations and least (4%) diversity between populations. Association analysis identified six markers, CRG4_2, RM72, tk59-2, pi21_79-3, RM1233 and RM6648, that are significantly associated with blast disease and explained a phenotypic variance of 1.1–6.5%. The associated genes could be used in marker-assisted rice breeding programmes for gene pyramiding to develop rice varietal resistance against blast disease. The present study represents a valuable blast resistance genetic resource that could be used for identification of new R genes, donors for blast resistance, and genomic studies.     

Genetic diversity of the pine pathogen Lecanosticta acicola in Slovenia and Croatia

Brown spot needle blight (BSNB), a disease of pine trees caused by the fungus Lecanosticta acicola, has been known in Slovenia since 2008 and in Croatia since 1975. Recent outbreaks in Slovenia prompted this study to compare L. acicola populations in these two neighbouring European countries. Sixty-nine isolates collected from three pine species (Pinus mugo, P. halepensis and P. nigra) were used to determine the phylogenetic relationships, genetic structure, and reproductive strategy of the pathogen. EF1-α sequences showed that Slovenian and Croatian isolates share a common ancestry with individuals from central and northern Europe. Population structure analysis revealed four distinct population clusters of L. acicola in these two countries, generally corresponding to their respective geographic location and host. An unequal ratio of mating types and a low overall genetic diversity in the population indicated a strong influence of asexual reproduction. Although some of the oldest recorded European occurrences of BSNB are from Croatia, this study provided no evidence that the population studied in Croatia was the source of the sampled outbreaks in Slovenia. Recent outbreaks of L. acicola in Slovenia are most likely due to introductions from other, yet to be identified, sources.     

基于nSSR和cpDNA序列的城步峒茶群体遗传多样性和结构研究

采用简单重复序列标记(nSSR)与叶绿体DNA序列(cpDNA)分析技术,对城步峒茶群体进行了遗传多样性、遗传结构和遗传分化等研究。结果表明,15对nSSR引物在参试81份资源中共获得142个等位位点,平均每对引物9.47个,城步峒茶群体的观测杂合度(Ho)、期望杂合度(He)和Nei期望杂合度(Nei)分别为0.49、0.62和0.62,具有较高的遗传多样性。Structure分析将79份峒茶资源分成3个类群,但各类群的遗传背景较为复杂,没有明显的群体结构。F检验表明,城步峒茶群体的近交系数F_IS为正值(F_IS=0.177 5),群体间的遗传分化系数F_ST较小(F_ST=0.034 5),分化程度较低,基因流Nm较高(Nm=7.01)。3对cpDNA引物分别获得了473 bp(rbcL)、704 bp(matK)和320 bp(psbH-trnA)的片段序列,变异位点占总位点的比例分别为0.42%、0.71%和1.25%。将3个序列依次拼接,共产生了9个单倍型,单倍型数由多到少的居群依次为TXZ(6)、DZC(4)、DPS(4)、TYS(3)、HJZ(2),群体的单倍型多样性(Hd)和核苷酸多样性(π)分别为0.732和0.001 39。9个单倍型中,单倍型H1和H5处于进化网络图的中心节点上,并且包含资源数量最多,属于比较原始的单倍型。同时,nSSR和cpDNA的AMOVA分析结果基本一致,居群内的变异百分比分别达到96.69%和80.54%,城步峒茶的遗传变异主要存在于居群内。     

大豆PHD家族蛋白的全基因组鉴定及表达特征分析

PHD（Plant Homeodomain Finger）基因家族编码一类锌指转录因子,广泛参与植物的生长发育和逆境应答过程。通过全基因组鉴定获得了95个大豆PHD家族蛋白。通过共线性分析、进化树构建、基因结构和功能结构域鉴定、GO注释分析、不同组织间和非生物胁迫下表达分析等,获得了大豆PHD家族基因复制、家族进化、保守结构域及基因表达等信息。结果表明,大豆PHD基因在家族进化、基因结构和保守结构域上存在较大变异,可能参与Zn ²⁺结合、DNA结合及表观遗传调控等分子过程,参与调控植物生长发育和逆境应答。这些结果为进一步研究大豆PHD家族在生长发育和逆境应答中的生物学功能提供重要线索。     

Effect of transferring lignocellulose-degrading bacteria from termite to rumen fluid of sheep on in vitro gas production,fermentation parameters,microbial populations and enzyme activity

The digestive tract of termite(Microcerotermes diversus) contains a variety of lignocellulose-degrading bacteria with exocellulases enzyme activity, not found in the rumen, which could potentially improve fiber degradation in the rumen. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effect of inoculation of rumen fluid(RF) with three species of bacteria isolated from termite digestive tract, Bacillus licheniformis, Ochrobactrum intermedium, and Microbacterium paludicola, on in vitro gas production(IVGP), fermentation parameters, nutrient disappearance, microbial populations, and hydrolytic enzyme activities with fibrous wheat straw(WS) and date leaf(DL) as incubation substrate. Inoculation of RF with either of three termite bacteria increased(P0.05) ammonia-N concentration compared with the control group(free of termite gut bacteria). Termite bacteria inoculation had no effect(P0.05) on gas production characteristics, dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber disappearance, pH, and concentration and composition of volatile fatty acids. Population of proteolytic bacteria and protozoa, but not cellulolytic bacteria, were increased(P0.05) when RF was inoculated with termite bacteria with both WS and DL substrates. Inoculation of RF with termite bacteria increased protease activity, while activities of carboxymethyl-cellulase, microcrystalline-cellulase, α-amylase and filter paper degrading activity remained unchanged(P0.05). Overall, the results of this study indicated that transferring lignocellulose-degrading bacteria, isolated from digestive tract of termite, to rumen liquid increased protozoa and proteolytic bacteria population and consequently increased protease activity and ammonia-N concentration in vitro, however, no effect on fermentation and fiber degradation parameters were detected. These results suggest that the termite bacteria might be rapidly lysed by the rumen microbes before beneficial effects on the rumen fermentation process could occur.