Evaluating methods for identifying large mammal road crossing locations: black bears as a case study

Landscape Ecology - Roads have several negative effects on large mammals including restricting movements, isolating populations, and mortality due to vehicle collisions. Where large mammals...     

矿化海藻有益于猪胃的健康

胃炎和胃溃疡是生长肥育猪和母猪的一种常见、但很少被诊断出的疾病,它可引发诸多的问题:从导致肥育猪产生进攻性行为、生产性能受挫,直至死亡。而海洋矿物质或许可以解决上述问题。     

A comparison of the population genetics of Lethrinus miniatus and Lutjanus sebae from the east and west coasts of Australia: Evidence for panmixia and isolation

Lethrinus miniatus and Lutjanus sebae are important commercial and recreational species of reef fish. Within Australian waters the former species is less widespread than the latter and has a discontinuous distribution, whilst the latter is continuously distributed in tropical Australian waters. The demographic attributes of these species (e.g. long life span, low rates of natural mortality) make them vulnerable to over-exploitation. Consequently, conservative harvest strategies including no-take zones for these species have been adopted by fisheries management agencies to control exploitation. Information on the genetic stock structure of these species is important for developing specific management strategies. However, little is known about genetic stock structures within and between east and west Australian populations of these species. The current study used the mitochondrial genome hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the control region to examine variation between two sites from both the east and west Australian coasts for each species. HVR1 for L. sebae did not differ genetically either within or between coasts (F_st < 0.018, p > 0.15) at the sites studied, suggesting a panmictic population structure. Similarly, L. miniatus did not differ significantly between sites sampled within coast. However, the west coast HVR1 for L. miniatus east and west coast populations, were discrete (F_st of at least 0.92, p < 0.0001). The degree of genetic sub-division between east and west coast populations indicates that they should be managed as discrete stocks. Further, when considering both species, the lower genetic (both haplotype and nucleotide) diversity in three of the four sites on the west coast of Australia, indicates that this region is genetically impoverished and neutrality tests suggest that selection is responsible. Consequently, west Australian populations will be less resilient to perturbations (e.g. fishing, climate change) than east Australian populations, which have higher genetic diversity.     

Efficacy of Netminder® silicone release coating for biofouling reduction in bay scallop grow‐out and comparative effects on scallop survival,growth and reproduction

Netminder^®, a water‐based silicone barrier release coating, was highly effective in reducing biofouling of lantern nets during grow‐out/overwintering of bay scallops, Argopecten irradians irradians, in a large‐scale restoration programme in New York, USA. Compared with untreated nets, scallops held in Netminder^®‐coated nets experienced reduced survival after 8 months, probably due to higher loads of epibionts on their shells. However, this was countered by higher reproductive and overall condition of scallops in treated vs. untreated nets; there were no consistent differences in shell growth in different net treatments. Although further testing is recommended under a wider range of conditions, we conclude that for the purposes of our scallop restoration work, coating nets with Netminder^® would eliminate the need for a gear change in spring, thus reducing labour costs; the coating process should be refined so that Velcro closures of nets do not become sealed shut.     

Effect of ammonia on the growth rate and oxygen consumption of juvenile greenlip abalone, Haliotis laevigata Donovan

Juvenile greenlip abalone, Haliotis laevigata, (mean whole weight 4.48±1.9 g, mean±s.d., n=953) were highly sensitive to ammonia as indicated by depressed growth rate and food consumption measured over 2–3 months in bioassay tanks. For growth rate expressed on a whole weight basis, the EC₅ and EC₅₀ values (5 and 50% growth reductions) were 0.041 mg FAN l⁻¹ (Free Ammonia–Nitrogen) and 0.158 mg FAN l⁻¹, respectively. Shell growth rates declined over the entire experimental range (0.006–0.188 mg FAN l⁻¹). At the end of the bioassay, groups of abalone were transferred to respiratory chambers. Oxygen consumption rate increased to a maximum of 188% of control values at 0.235 mg FAN l⁻¹ and decreased slightly at the highest concentration of 0.418 mg FAN l⁻¹.     

Carbonate mineral filtrants with new surfaces reduce alkalinity in seawater and artificial seawater: Preliminary findings

Silica sand (silica), coral (aragonite), and oyster shell (calcite) were ground to similar particle sizes and placed in seawater and artificial seawater (GP2 Medium). Alkalinity and pH values of the artificial seawater decreased substantially over 24 h when in contact with coral and oyster shell; the effects in seawater were minor. Once alkalinity has been reduced, the maintenance of stable pH at values typical of seawater is made more difficult. The data, which are preliminary, have practical application.     

Application of sperm cryopreservation in selective breeding of the Pacific oyster,Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg)

The robustness of Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg), sperm cryopreservation in the context of selective breeding based on family lines was investigated. Irrespective of egg density, high fertilization success was achieved with cryopreserved sperm when sperm:egg ratios of 1000:1 to 10 000:1 were used. Variation among replicate runs on the same oyster batches was minimal, indicating that cryopreservation and larval rearing procedures were repeatable. Twenty independent single male–female crosses were made to assess the utility of cryopreserved sperm in selective breeding. The fertility of unfrozen sperm was generally a poor predictor of cryopreserved sperm fertility. Based on D‐larval yields, 17 of the 20 crosses were likely to yield adequate spat for selective breeding (>10⁵ D‐larvae from 1 million eggs), two were marginal (5 × 10⁴ D‐larvae) and one was inadequate (4 × 10³ D‐larvae). An alternative fertilization strategy to improve D‐yield from a given number of sperm was then tested. Fertilizing 10 million eggs at a sperm:egg ratio of 200:1 increased the total D‐yield when compared with fertilizing 1 million eggs at a sperm:egg ratio of 2000:1 for the same male–female pair. We conclude that, despite wide variation in fertility, cryopreserved sperm is useful for family production.     

Reducing elasmobranch bycatch: Laboratory investigation of rare earth metal and magnetic deterrents with spiny dogfish and Pacific halibut

Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthius) comprises a significant unwanted bycatch on demersal longlines set for halibut and cod in shelf waters of the east and west coasts of North America. In this laboratory study, attacks on baits were tested in the presence of two different rare earth materials (neodymium–iron–boride magnets and cerium mischmetal) believed to deter elasmobranch catch. Experiments were made with spiny dogfish and with Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in pairwise tests of the rare earth materials and inert metal controls. Dogfish attacked and consumed baits tested with cerium mischmetal at a lower frequency than controls. Times to attack the baits were significantly higher in the presence of mischmetal, as were numbers of approaches before first attack. The time differential between mischmetal and control treatments and the number of baits consumed converged with increasing food deprivation (1 h, 2 d, and 4 d), but treatment differences were always significant. Cerium mischmetal appeared to be irritating to dogfish and may disrupt their bait detection and orientation abilities. Magnets also appeared to irritate dogfish but provided no protection for baits in feeding trials. Pacific halibut showed no reaction whatsoever to the rare earth magnets or cerium mischmetal. Mischmetal, therefore, may be useful in reducing spiny dogfish bycatch in the halibut fishery. Disadvantages in using mischmetal in commercial operations are expense, hazardous nature, and relatively rapid hydrolysis in seawater.     

不同生物质炭输入水平下旱作农田温室气体排放研究

在陇中黄土高原干旱半干旱区,采用小区定位试验,对不同生物质炭输入水平下春小麦农田土壤温室气体(CO_2、N_2O和CH_4)的排放通量进行全生育期连续观测,并分析其影响因子。结果表明:6个生物质炭输入水平处理下[0 t·hm~(-2)(CK)、10 t·hm~(-2)、20 t·hm~(-2)、30 t·hm~(-2)、40 t·hm~(-2)、50 t·hm~(-2)],旱作农田土壤在春小麦全生育期内均表现为CH_4弱源、N_2O源和CO_2源。全生育期各处理CH_4平均排放通量依次为:0.005 7 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.0047 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.003 6 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.003 3 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.002 7 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和0.000 4 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1),N_2O平均排放通量依次为:0.230 5 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.144 1 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.135 3 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.098 9 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.125 0 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和0.151 3mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1),CO_2平均排放通量依次为:0.449 2μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.447 0μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.430 3μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.391 4μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.408 0μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)和0.416 4μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)。土壤CH_4排放通量随生物质炭输入量的增加而减小;当生物质炭输入量小于30 t·hm~(-2)时,土壤N_2O、CO_2排放通量随其输入量增加而显著减小,但当其输入量超过30 t·hm~(-2)时,N_2O、CO_2排放通量则呈显著增大趋势。各处理在5~15 cm土层平均土壤温度差异显著(P0.05),在5~10 cm土层平均土壤含水量差异显著(P0.05),土壤温度及含水量受生物质炭影响明显;且CK处理不同土层的土壤温度及含水量波动最大,生物质炭输入可在一定程度上降低不同土层土壤的水热变化幅度;N_2O、CO_2排放通量与10~15 cm土层土壤温度呈显著性负相关,与20~25 cm土壤温度呈显著性正相关;CH_4平均排放通量与5~10 cm土层土壤温度呈显著性负相关,与其含水量呈显著性正相关;N_2O平均排放通量与15~20 cm土层土壤温度呈显著性正相关;CH_4、N_2O、CO_2平均排放通量与0~5 cm土层土壤水分呈显著性负相关。生物质炭的输入能够减小温室气体的排放,且会因其输入量的不同而异,因此适量应用生物质炭有利于旱作农田生育期内增汇减排。     

Soil nitrogen availability alters rhizodeposition carbon flux into the soil microbial community

Purpose

Soil microorganisms are important in the cycling of plant nutrients. Soil microbial biomass, community structure, and activity are mainly affected by carbon substrate and nutrient availability. The objective was to test if both the overall soil microbial community structure and the community-utilizing plant-derived carbon entering the soil as rhizodeposition were affected by soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) availability.

Materials and methods

A ¹³C-CO₂ steady-state labeling experiment was conducted in a ryegrass system. Four soil treatments were established: control, amendment with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), amendment with ammonium nitrate (NF), combined CMC and NF. Soil phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and ¹³C labeling PLFA were extracted and detected by isotope ratio mass spectrometer.

Results and discussion

The combined CMC and NF treatment with appropriate C/N ratio (20) significantly enhanced soil microbial biomass C and N, but resulted in lower soil inorganic N concentrations. There was no significant difference in soil PLFA profile pattern between different treatments. In contrast, most of the ¹³C was distributed into PLFAs 18:2ω6,9c, 18:1ω7c, and 18:1ω9c, indicative of fungi and gram-negative bacteria. The inorganic-only treatment was distinct in ¹³C PLFA pattern from the other treatments in the first period of labeling. Factor loadings of individual PLFAs confirmed that gram-positive bacteria had relatively greater plant-derived C contents in the inorganic-only treatment, but fungi were more enriched in the other treatments.

Conclusions

Amendments with CMC can improve N transformation processes, and the ryegrass rhizodeposition carbon flux into the soil microbial community is strongly modified by soil N availability.