Local population structure of a naturally occurring metapopulation of the quokka (Setonix brachyurus Macropodidae: Marsupialia)

We investigated the population structure of the quokka (Setonix brachyurus) on the mainland of Western Australia using mark–recapture techniques. Seven previously known local populations and one unconfirmed site supporting the preferred, patchy and discrete, swampy habitat of the quokka were trapped. The quokka is now considered as locally extinct at three sites. The five remaining sites had extremely low numbers, ranging from 1 to 36 individuals. Population density at these sites ranged from 0.07 to 4.3 individuals per hectare. There has been no response to the on-going, 6 year fox control programme occurring in the region despite the quokkas’ high fecundity and this is due to low recruitment levels. The remaining quokka populations in the northern jarrah forest appear to be the terminal remnants of a collapsing metapopulation.     

Platy Quartz Phytoliths found in the Fossil Forest Deposits,Axel Heiberg Island,Northwest Territories,Canada

The occurrence of quartz particles having a platy morphology found in the white layers within the fossil forest deposits of Axel Heiberg Island, was further confirmed by optical and electron microscopic examinations. The platy quartz crystals were concentrated in the finer fractions. The δ ₁₈O values of fractions enriched in platy quartz crystals ranged from +13.7 to +16.6 %₀. These values were higher than those obtained for coarser fractions. The platy morphology and crystallographic character of the quartz particles concentrated in the finer size fractions are uncharacteristic both of aerosol derived material and of secondary silica. These findings and information available for the paleoenvironment of the study area favor a biogenic origin for the platy quartz. The oxygen-isotope data are consistent with this hypothesis.     

Scientist quits NIH over fetal rules

Citing unacceptable federal restrictions on human reproductive research, fertility researcher Dr. Gary Hodgen is leaving the National Institutes of Health for the Eastern Virginia Medical School, where much of the work on in vitro fertilization in the United States is being done. Virtually no IVF research is conducted at NIH, since all government-supported efforts in this controversial area must first be reviewed in proposal form by a non-existent federal ethics committee. NIH's caution in fostering research on IVF and with human embryos is frustrating scientists and driving them into the private sector, where their work is unregulated.     

美洲黑杨杂种优良无性系转抗虫基因(Bt和CpTⅠ)的研究

以美洲黑杨杂种优良无性系南林895杨(Populus×euramericanac‘v.Nanlin895’)为转基因受体材料,以嫩芽或腋芽为外植体材料组织培养再生植株,利用农杆菌介导法转化Bt基因和CpTI基因。结果显示较合适的组培再生与遗传转化系统为:叶分化培养基为MS+6-BA0.5mg/L+TDZ0.002mg/L,芽伸长培养基为MS+6-BA0.2mg/L+TDZ0.001mg/L+Km10mg/L+Carb500mg/L,生根培养基为1/2MS;预培养3d,菌液浓度OD6001.0～1.3左右,侵染时间20min,共培养4d,叶盘转化频率可达28.7%。对Kmr植株经PCR分析,筛选获得了18株整合有Bt基因和1株整合有CpTI基因的转基因植株。部分转基因植株的初步饲虫实验表明,饲喂转基因杨树叶片可明显抑制杨小舟蛾的生长发育。     

Genetic diversity within Australian wheat breeding programs based on molecular and pedigree data

124 wheat cultivars and breeding lines were screened with 19 microsatellite (SSR) loci generating 160 scorable bands which were used to construct a genetic distance (GD) matrix. A distance matrix based on coefficient of parentage (COP) scores was also generated for the cultivars for which good pedigree records were available. The SSR and COP data for 101 of the wheat cultivars were compared with genetic distance scores obtained using1898 scorable restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) bands previously generated. Phylograms were generated based on the SSR, RFLP,combined SSR and RFLP and COP data. The standardised Mantel's Z test showed that the distance matrices generated from all of the data sets were significantly correlated. Bootstrap analysis showed that, although the SSR and RFLP data were correlated, a large number of SSR loci are required for determining robust genetic relationships between large numbers of cultivars. In addition, accurate pedigree records are needed to determine genetic relatedness using COP. The molecular data were also used to determine the level of genetic variability within breeding programs and to assess the impact of the introduction of semidwarf and other germplasm. The results showed that the level of genetic diversity in Australian wheat cultivars has increased over time and that in particular, the introduction of semidwarf germplasm resulted in an increase in the overall diversity. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Commuting distances to local non‐farm workplaces and out‐migration: The case of Northeast Thailand

The relationship between commuting distances and where people work has been studied for urban contexts in both developed countries and developing countries. However, few studies have examined the situation in rural areas, and none look at commuting distances to non‐farm workplaces in rural areas of developing countries. This paper investigates how commuting distance, and thus accessibility, to local non‐farm work influences non‐farm employment and out‐migration from rural villages in Northeast Thailand. The main issues examined are: (i) the distance that rural residents travel to work in local non‐farm jobs; and (ii) the influence that local non‐farm employment has on the number of outmigrants from rural villages. The study finds: (i) distance between villages and non‐farm work sites impact the number of villagers who are employed in regular wage work; (ii) beyond 20 km villagers are less likely to travel to non‐farm employment using their own means of transportation; and (iii) employment in regular wage work decreases outmigration. The findings from this study contribute to the debates over the drivers of rural out‐migration, rural livelihood changes, and agrarian changes that are taking place in Southeast Asia.     

Developing standardized methods for breeding preharvest sprouting resistant wheat, challenges and successes in Canadian wheat

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var durum) causes significant economic losses due to a reduction in grain yield, grain functionality and viability of seed for planting. Average annual estimated losses in Canada are about $100 million. Genetic resistance to PHS reduces these losses. Development of PHS resistant cultivars is complicated by the effects of factors under genetic control, such as spike morphology, seed dormancy, environment, and kernel diseases. Resistance to PHS has been a breeding priority since the late 1960s. Development of RL4137, which is the primary source of PHS resistance in the Canada Western Red Spring market class, has led to cultivar improvements. A white-seeded derivative of RL4137 is the primary source of PHS in the Canada Prairie Spring White and Canada Western Hard White Spring wheat market classes. Procedures to select for PHS resistance vary among breeding programs, market classes and by degree of inbreeding. Methods include artificial sprouting of intact spikes, germination tests, natural weathering in field trials, artificial weathering trials, and indirect assessment of sprouting by measuring Hagberg falling number. Although many genetic loci have been attributed to preharvest sprouting resistance, application of molecular markers is currently limited due to the complex inheritance of the trait. In Canada, cultivars are characterized for their relative level of PHS resistance and the information is made available to producers.     

利用重组自交系群体对水稻产量相关性状的QTL分析

利用水稻(Oryza sativa L．)珍汕97和SLG组合的重组自交系群体和177个微卫星标记,采用复合区间作图法对产量相关性状进行了数量性状基因(QTL)定位,共得到38个QTLs。单个QTL解释这些性状6．6％～32．9％的性状变异,各性状QTL的累积表型贡献率达21．3％～79．5％。大多数性状之间具有显著的表型相关性,相关性较高的性状之间常具有较多共同或紧密连锁的QTL。