Glacial refugia: hotspots but not melting pots of genetic diversity

Glacial refuge areas are expected to harbor a large fraction of the intraspecific biodiversity of the temperate biota. To test this hypothesis, we studied chloroplast DNA variation in 22 widespread European trees and shrubs sampled in the same forests. Most species had genetically divergent populations in Mediterranean regions, especially those with low seed dispersal abilities. However, the genetically most diverse populations were not located in the south but at intermediate latitudes, a likely consequence of the admixture of divergent lineages colonizing the continent from separate refugia.     

Contact and fumigant toxicity of a botanical-based feeding deterrent of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae)

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), has been considered one of the most serious biting flies of confined and pastured livestock. The economic losses caused by the stable fly to the cattle industry in the United States exceed $2 billion annually. Current practices for managing stable flies using insecticides provide only marginal control. Insecticide resistance has also been recently reported in stable flies. The present study reports the use of plant-based insecticides, for example, essential oils, as alternatives for managing this fly pest. The toxicity of several plant essential oils and selected ingredient compounds was evaluated by contact and fumigant toxicity bioassays. Catnip oil (20 mg dosage) showed the highest toxicity against stable flies, the shortest knock-down time (～7 min), and the quickest lethal time (～19 min). Toxicity levels similar to catnip oil were found among three insect repellent compounds (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, 2-methylpiperidinyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxamide, (1S,2'S)-2-methylpiperidinyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxamide). No differences in knock-down and lethal times were found among the catnip oil and its two active ingredient compounds. Similar stable fly mortality was observed using a 20 mg dose of catnip oil in a modified K&D system and a fumigant jar. When catnip oil was topically applied to stable flies, the least lethal dose was 12.5 μg/fly, and a 50 μg/fly dose resulted in 100% mortality. The blood-feeding behavior of stable flies was also negatively affected by the topical application of catnip oil, and the effect was dose-dependent. This study demonstrated that catnip oil has both contact and fumigant toxicity against the stable fly and thus has the potential as an alternative for stable fly control.     

阿拉斯加原油管道设计原则与特殊施工要点

阿拉斯加原油管道设计有传统埋设、特殊埋设和地上敷设.传统埋设的管顶埋深变化于0.9～2.7 m之间,特殊埋设则有降(保)温系统.地上敷设有桩基架设和高管堤.在该管道的设计与施工方案制定等方面,Alyeska管道公司随项目进展采用动态设计,不断完善施工方案,严格环保要求与设计安全相互促进,利用规范解决实际问题,工程师、环境专家和项目管理者密切合作,项目组织管理形式协调有序.从五个方面,重点阐述了Alyeska管道工程对中国寒区管道工程建设的借鉴意义.     

Elevated concentrations of actinides in mono lake

Tetravalent thorium, pentavalent protactinium, hexavalent uranium, and plutonium (oxidation state uncertain) are present in much higher concentrations in Mono Lake, a saline, alkaline lake in eastern central California, than in seawater. Low ratios of actinium to protactinium and of americium to plutonium indicate that the concentrations of trivalent actinides are not similarly enhanced. The elevated concentrations of the ordinarily very insoluble actinides are maintained in solution by natural ligands, which inhibit their chemical removal from the water column, rather than by an unusually large rate of supply.     

The association ofErwinia carotovora var.atroseptica andErwinia carotovora var.carotovora with insects in Colorado

Ten genera from 9 families of dipterous insects collected in the field in the San Luis Valley of Colorado were contaminated withErwinia carotovora var.atroseptica (Eca) andErwinia carotovora var.carotovora (Ecc).Erwinia-contaminated insects were collected from settling ponds near potato warehouses, potato cull piles on growers’ farms, municipal dumps, lettuce and potato fields. The percentage of contaminated insects reached 14.5% in early spring but decreased as the season progressed. Insects were more commonly contaminated withEca thanEcc early in the season. Later the proportion of contamination byEcc increased while that ofEca decreased. We suggest that insects may play a potentially important role in the epidemiology of potato blackleg especially in the reintroduction ofErwinia intoErwiniafree potato fields.