土壤冻融交替生态效应研究进展

土壤冻融作用是高纬度和高海拔地带性土壤热量动态的一种表现形式.国际上关于冻融的研究多集中在北方高纬度地带,特别是苔原、泰加林和北极生态系统,越来越集中在全球变化对冻融生态系统土壤过程的效应方面.已有研究表明冻融作用会引起土壤团聚结构破坏并导致冻融侵蚀、土壤溶液中养分浓度升高而导致土壤养分流失、土壤解冻后还可能导致土壤呼吸和N素矿化以及一些痕量气体短时间释放增加等,这些研究表明了冻融过程对土壤物理、化学、生物等各方面的效应.我国有大面积北方季节性地带冻土和青藏高原高海拔冻土,而在土壤冻融作用及生态效应方面的工作较少,值得关注和深入研究.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of an invasive thrips species Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Dispersion of a new invasive thrips species in the United States, chilli thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, was studied on three plant hosts, i.e., cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), peanut (Arachis hypogeal L.) and pepper (Capsicum annum L.) in the greenhouse and under field conditions in Homestead, Florida. In the vertical distribution study, a strong negative relationship was observed between thrips density and height, with the significantly highest mean number of larvae and adults reported on host plants placed at the lowest height (45.7 cm) above ground. The study of horizontal distribution showed that S. dorsalis has weak dispersal potential and aggregates in open areas. During the entire six week study period, thrips were found to move a maximum of 12 m from their reservoir population. During two years (2009–2010 and 2010–2011) of study, a high abundance of thrips population was observed during May–October with the highest mean count during July and August in both years. Flight activity of adults was highest between 10:00and16:00 EST, during peak solar radiation (∼337–653 w/m²). Results from these studies will help growers and extension personnel predict farm-scale distribution of S. dorsalis and efficiently monitor the pest for management before they become a serious problem for the vegetable and ornamental industry in the United States.     

Bird-flower interactions in an urban area: Ceiba pubiflora provides nectar and promotes biodiversity in the city

Urbanization has negative effects on plant-animal interactions by reducing plant richness and increasing resource limitations. However, it is possible to replant these areas, and plant species can be selected based on the resources they provide, as well as their relationships with animals. I observed several trees of Ceiba pubiflora (Malvaceae, Bombacoideae) to identify the bird species interacting with their flowers in an urban area. This plant may be especially important, as it blossoms during the dry season, when the overall flower availability in the study area is low. It may also be important during a short period of decline in the fleshy fruit supply. Even though C. pubiflora was growing in the city and had a low volume of nectar accumulating in its flowers (mean of 1.73 μl; SD = 1.39 μl), it attracted a variety of birds (25 species belonging to six families), some of which are usually regarded as forest dependent. Nectarivorous birds from the family Trochilidae (hummingbirds, n = 12 species) had the highest percentage of visits (64.08%), especially during periods of relatively high nectar sugar concentration and calorie availability (c. 18% and 1.5 cal., respectively). Hummingbirds primarily acted as nectar thieves but also sometimes as potential flower pollinators. In contrast, several nonnectarivorous birds (frugivore-granivores, frugivore-insectivores and omnivores) acted only as nectar robbers or flower predators. Ceiba pubiflora flowers appear to be an important source of energy for birds in the urban area. The data of this study show that C. pubiflora has utility as management tool to promote and conserve biodiversity in cities.     

Changes in vasotocin immunoreactivity of paraventricular nuclei and adrenal function of Japanese quail in relation to different phases of sexual development

In relevance to osmoregulatory and reproductive functions, activity of hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons may also vary seasonally. The current study was performed to determine annual changes in ir-AVT neurons of hypothalamus and adrenal gland function. We examined changes in ir-AVT neuron by immunohistochemical method and plasma testosterone was measured by enzyme immunoassay. The steroidogenic interrenal activity was studied by histological and biochemical methods. Birds were sampled in February (quiescent), April (recrudescent), June (breeding) and November (regressive). A significant and gradual increase in the number of ir-AVT neurons was observed from quiescent to breeding phase which decreased during regressive phase of annual gonadal cycle. The gradual increase in ir-AVT neurons along with annual gonadal activity of quail were accompanied by increase in plasma levels of testosterone. These results indicate a functional interaction between sex steroid and AVT synthesizing neurons. Adrenal activity (as judged by weight, ascorbic acid content, cortical cord width and cortico-medullary ratio) was also maximum during breeding phase. It is thus postulated that domesticated quail when exposed to natural day length (NDL), exhibits seasonal/annual cyclicity in vastocinergic activity and adrenal function which may be due to difference in sex steroid hormone.     

Circadian variations in salivary chromogranin a concentrations during a 24-hour period in dogs

The purpose of this study was to determine if salivary chromogranin a secretion in dogs exhibits a circadian rhythm. Saliva sampling was performed during three different sessions occurring in three nonconsecutive 24-h periods. Sixteen healthy adult beagle dogs (8 males and 8 females) were moved to a sampling room and housed individually in cages. Saliva samples were obtained every 4 h from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. the following day. In the interest of habituation, saliva was obtained hourly from each dog 3 h before the experiment was started. Salivary chromogranin A concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. No circadian rhythm was detected for salivary chromogranin A secretion, and no differences in salivary chromogranin A concentrations measured every 4 h were demonstrated during the 24-h cycle in dogs.     

三代测序技术及其应用研究进展

通过DNA测序不仅可以更好地认识生命的本质,了解生物的差异性、进化及发展史,而且为重组DNA的研究提供了方向,在疾病诊断及基因分型方面具有非常重要的实用价值。首先从发现DNA是遗传物质开始,简要回顾了第一、二和三代测序技术的整个发展历程,以及各自的优缺点和主要测序技术或平台;其次,重点介绍了由PacBio公司开发的第三代测序典型技术--单分子实时测序技术（SMRT）和ONT纳米孔测序技术的原理、方法和技术流程,并总结了第三代测序技术的应用领域,包括基因组重测序、do novo测序、转录组研究、甲基化检测、与疾病相关的结构变异检测,以及流行病学中病毒准种分析等应用;再次,比较了三代测序技术在转录组测序和表观遗传学研究中的技术优势,第三代测序技术在基因组重复区域或结构变异等研究领域具有非常明显的优势,对多种疾病的研究意义重大,已成为未来重要的精准诊断工具,此外,凭借对重要经济物种遗传信息的解析,育种工作者通过建立基因与性状的关联,对持有优良性状基因的个体进行人工选育,大大缩短了育种年限;最后,对第三代测序技术在医疗、农业、环境等领域的应用前景进行了展望。     

宇宙线散落核素7Be在山区表土层中的分布特征及侵蚀示踪原理

宇宙线散落核素⁷Be具稳定的物质来源和53.3天的半衰期,提供了示踪环境微粒季节性迁移的必要条件;其在土粒中主要存在于Fe-Mn氧化物及有机质结合相,适应于季节性微粒迁移示踪;它在表土层中的垂直分布特征提供了示踪微粒季节性迁移的充分条件。⁷Be在表土层中的累计值、表观比活度、最大渗透深度及相对侵蚀(或堆积)速率是土粒迁移的示踪参数。     

黄、东海底栖性甲壳动物种类组成的季节变化

根据2004年春、夏、秋和冬季在东、黄海底拖网渔业资源监测调查资料,分析了东、黄海甲壳动物种类组成的季节变化。四季共捕获虾类33种、蟹类12种和虾蛄3种。东、黄海的优势种有：大管鞭虾、假长缝拟对虾、鹰爪虾、长角赤虾、凹管鞭虾、脊腹褐虾、东海红虾、高脊管鞭虾、双斑蟳、三疣梭子蟹和口虾蛄,其中,大管鞭虾、假长缝拟对虾和鹰爪虾为调查海域的主要优势种。多样性指数中的丰富度指数（D）与多样度指数（H’）的四季变化趋势一致。在春季,由北到南呈下降趋势;夏、秋两季由北到南呈上升趋势;冬季则处于东海北部较高、黄海南部和东海中部较低的趋势。均匀度指数（J’）在3个区域各个季节之间相差不大。相似性指数结果表明,东海中部的群落相对稳定,而东海北部具有黄海南部和东海中部的群落特征。     

唐山附近海域春季表层沉积物重金属含量年际变化及污染评价

根据2006-2015年4个航次对唐山附近海域共70个采样站位的表层沉积物调查资料,分析了沉积物中Hg、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr、Zn和As 7种重金属的含量和年际变化特征,并利用超标率统计法、地累积指数法和潜在生态风险指数法对其污染状况进行了评价.结果显示,调查海域表层沉积物中重金属含量总体水平较低,除个别站位的Cu和As超过第Ⅰ类标准值外,其他调查站位的重金属含量均符合第Ⅰ类标准.2006-2015年调查海域表层沉积物中7种重金属含量的年际变化略有不同,其中,Cu、Pb、Cd和Zn4种重金属含量相对比较稳定,Hg和Cr的含量表现为先升高后降低的趋势,而As的变化趋势不明显.地累积指数法评价结果显示,7种重金属的地累积指数(Igeo)多年平均值为Hg＞Cd＞Pb＞Cu＞As＞Cr＞Zn;而潜在生态风险评价结果显示,7种重金属的潜在生态风险系数(Eri)多年平均值为Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Cu＞Cr＞Zn;两种污染评价结果一致,均显示Hg是唐山附近海域表层沉积物的主要污染因子,潜在生态风险最大.综合潜在风险指数(RJ)年际变化范围为44.26-153.18,平均值为89.92,属于低生态风险水平;RI年际变化基本表现为先升高后降低的趋势,表明近年来调查海域表层沉积物重金属的污染状况有所改善.     

莱州湾渔业资源群落结构和多样性的年际变化

根据2009-2013年每年8月在莱州湾水域进行的渔业底拖网调查数据,采用生态多样性指数和多元统计分析等方法,研究了该海域的渔业资源群落结构和多样性特征的年际变化.结果显示,调查共鉴定出100种资源种类,其中鱼类56种;渔业资源种类和资源量存在明显的年际变化,2013年渔业资源种类数为2012年种类数的84.4％,仅为2009年的60.3％,平均网获质量明显下降.鱼类优势种组成存在年际更替现象,主要由经济价值高、个体大的种类向经济价值低、个体小的种类演替.各生态多样性指数均呈现下降趋势,Margalef种类丰富度指数(R)变化范围为2.67-3.95,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H')变化范围为0.70-3.83,Pielou均匀度指数(J')变化范围为0.12-0.63.聚类分析(CLUSTER)和多维标度分析(MDS)分析表明,在相同的相似性水平上分组,组内平均相似性与组间相异性变大.单因子相似性分析(ANOSIM)表明,各年渔业群落结构均存在显著差异(P＜0.05).综上所述,莱州湾渔业资源逐年衰退,优势种更替明显,群落结构发生明显变化,多样性呈下降趋势.