A pioneering survey of deep-diving and off-shore cetaceans in the northern South China Sea

A pioneering boat-based survey was conducted in 2019, to gather baseline information regarding the presence, composition, relative abundance, and spatial distribution of deep-diving and off-shore cetaceans in the northern South China Sea (SCS). A total of 27 sightings comprising at least 8 cetacean species were recorded during the 13-day survey, including 5 deep-diving species (i.e. Risso's dolphin [Grampus griseus], short-finned pilot whale [Globicephala macrorhynchus], sperm whale [Physeter macrocephalus], Cuvier's beaked whale [Ziphius cavirostris], and an unidentified beaked whale [either the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens, or Deraniyagala's beaked whale, Mesoplodon hotaula]), as well as 3 off-shore dolphins (i.e. pantropical spotted dolphin [Stenella attenuate], striped dolphin [Stenella coeruleoalba], and Fraser's dolphin [Lagenodelphis hosei]). With the exception of pantropical spotted dolphins, all other species were sighted and recorded at sea in the northern SCS for the first time. The pantropical spotted dolphin was the most frequently sighted species, comprising 30% of the total sightings. Deep-diving cetaceans were mainly sighted in the northern Xisha Archipelago, whereas off-shore dolphins were distributed across the survey area. The pantropical spotted dolphin was observed in aggregations of more than 100 individuals and nearly all encountered species included calves; these findings suggested that the survey area functions as an important feeding and calving ground for various cetacean species. This pioneering survey provides fundamental information regarding cetacean fauna in the northern SCS and highlights the need to strengthen research and conservation efforts concerning these species.     

Stress steroid levels and the short-term impact of routine dehorning in female southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Rhinoceros populations in Africa are under severe threat as a result of surging poaching rates and risk-mitigation strategies are continuously adapted in an attempt to ensure the survival of the species. This study compared faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels of two age classes of limited free-ranging female white rhinos with fGCM levels of adult free-ranging female white rhinos. Subsequently, fGCM alterations in the limited free-ranging animals were monitored following routine dehorning as a measure of the animals’ short-term physiological stress response. Baseline fGCM levels differed significantly between tested groups, with both free-ranging and limited free-ranging adult animals showing significantly higher fGCM levels compared with limited free-ranging juvenile females. In contrast, baseline fGCM levels did not differ significantly between limited free-ranging and free-ranging adult individuals. Routine dehorning procedures resulted in a short-term stress response expressed by a significant increase in fGCM levels 48 h post-dehorning, with stress steroid levels returning to pre-dehorning concentrations 72 h after the procedure.     

Do public attitudes affect conservation effort? Using a questionnaire-based survey to assess perceptions,beliefs and superstitions associated with frogs in South Africa

Globally, amphibians are among the least appreciated vertebrates and are often negatively perceived by the general public. Such attitudes are particularly prevalent in South Africa, where fear, superstitions and myths associated with frogs are pervasive in some cultures. These attitudes could have harmful consequences both for the animals concerned and conservation efforts. This study aimed to investigate attitudes to frogs throughout South Africa across multiple age and ethnic groups. We used a multi-language survey in both hard-copy and online versions. Respondents (n = 2 295) comprised both genders across six age groups and five ethnic groups. A functionalist approach using structural equation modelling was used to assess how liking of frogs and cultural beliefs varied with socio-demographic factors. Attitudes varied significantly between groups, with males more likely to like frogs than females and age and level of education also significantly linked to liking. The influence of cultural beliefs and lack of knowledge also directly influenced negative attitudes towards frogs. More than 60% of respondents expressed an interest in learning more about frogs, indicating an opportunity for improving attitudes through educational outreach. The findings of this study can be used to inform current efforts to protect amphibians in South Africa through social interventions.     

兰州引黄灌区玉米田杂草群落及生态位研究

对兰州引黄灌区玉米田杂草进行了研究,初步了解了其杂草种类和杂草种群的消长动态。主要杂草有打碗花、田旋花、藜、刺儿菜、荠菜、稗草、马齿苋、反枝苋、狗尾草。主要杂草的干重为藜、反枝苋、稗草分别列第1、第2和第3位。生态位的研究结果表明,藜的时间、水平、垂直生态位宽度值最高,分别为0.952 6,0.971 8,0.937 9,其危害最大;其次为反枝苋和稗草。藜、反枝苋和稗草为优势种群,与玉米存在时间、水平、垂直空间的竞争激烈,并且这3种杂草的生态位重叠值也最大,因此在使用一种除草剂时,可能会导致另两种杂草的发生与蔓延。马齿苋尽管数量最多,但其在垂直方位的生态位宽度值最小,对玉米影响小,处于劣势。除草处理各经济性状指标值均较不除草对照高,其折合产量为10 111.11 kg/hm2,较不除草处理增产36.19%。     

白菜型油菜DFR基因的克隆与序列分析

By using RACE (rapid amplification ofcDNA ends) based homologous cloning strategy, we have successfully isolated the genomic and full-length cDNA sequences of a gene encoding typical DFR (dihydroflavonol-4-reductase) from black-seeded Brassica campestris L. var. oleifera DC.. The gene, designated BcDFR here, is 1 722bp in length and harbors 5 introns with typical splice sites of plant DFR genes. BcDFR cDNA is 1311bp in length with a 1 158bp ORF as well as a 25bp 5‘ UTR and a 128bp 3‘ UTR. The encoded BcDFR protein is 385 aa with a calculated Mw of 42.85kD and a pI value of 5.55. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of this gene share extensive homologies to plant DFR genes of wide origins especially high similarities to Cruciferous DFR genes. Sequence analyses such as phylogenetic analysis, conserved domain search and substrate specificity region detection all indicated that BcDFR gene is a quite potentially biofunctional gene. Its cloning enables us to further dissect the possible relatedness between DFR gene and Brassica seed coat color traits and to create transgenic novel yellow-seeded rapeseed germplasm through antisense- or RNAi-suppression of DFR gene expression in black-seeded elite cultivars.     

几个外引水稻品种在河南沿黄地区的表现

通过对几个外引水稻品种在河南沿黄地区引种试验，表明杂交稻生长速度快，抽穗较晚，但分蘖力强、成穗率高、穗粒数多，产量的增产潜力较大。除金世纪外其他几个品种与豫粳6号相比基本持平，但产量也有不同程度的提高。但金世纪品质与豫粳6号相比有较大的提高，产量也提高。     

增加投入实现引黄灌溉良性发展

引黄灌溉经济效益显著,但是灌区管理单位的财务收益却入不敷出。根据经济效益分析与水费收交情况,作者认为应加强水费回收,多方面集资以及深化水费改革等,以利于灌溉事业的良性发展。     

宁蒙引黄灌区田间节水潜力计算方法分析

以黄河干流宁蒙大型自流引黄灌区为研究对象,采用分项法以及两种计算顺序对宁蒙引黄灌区田间节水潜力进行了计算,分析了不同计算顺序对田间节水潜力计算结果的影响,并采用综合法对分项法计算结果进行了验证,表明计算方法可靠。     

黄河流域典型灌区灌溉节水管理模型研究

以黄河流域上下游2个典型灌区为背景，针对灌区有其农业水管理现状，开发了灌溉节水策略分析决策支持系统（DSS）原型。DSS是一个规划工具，通过对不同策略下田间配水及供水系统的模拟分析及综合决策，寻求最优的策略集合，以达到节约灌溉用水量、提高农业用水效率及维持农业可持续发展的目的。该DSS系统主要用于黄河流域灌区提高农业水管理水平的策略分析，也可用于评估灌区续建配套及土地最佳利用方案等方面。