Reproduction in three species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from rainforest streams in northern Queensland, Australia

Abstract – The reproductive biology of three species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) in northeastern Australian rainforest streams was investigated. Two species, Melanotaenia eachamensis and Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides are endemic to the area, whereas the third, M. splendida splendida, is more widespread. The species were all highly fecund, producing many hundreds of eggs between 1.10 and 1.24 mm in diameter. Melanotaenia eachamensis was the most fecund, produced the largest eggs of the three species, and consequently exhibited the greatest maternal investment (as measured by gonadosomatic index). The majority of reproductive effort occurred during the dry season, although reproductively active fish were present year-round for each of the species, but particularly so for M. s. splendida and C. rhombosomoides. No evidence for a role by temperature or photoperiod as environmental cues for reproduction was found, and it was suggested that gonad development was strongly tied to somatic growth. The concentration of reproduction to the dry season ensures that larvae are produced during a period of relatively stable and benign physical conditions. Comparison of temporal changes in gonadosomatic index values suggest that the spawning season of M. eachamensis , which occurs in high-elevation streams, is more restricted and commences about 1 month earlier than either other species. A similar phenology was observed for the M. s. splendida population found at high elevation and highlights the potential for spatial differences in stream productivity to influence life history. ^Note     

Yield Stability of Winter Wheat (Triticum sp.) Cultivars and Lines

The purpose of this study was to compare responsiveness to environment as well as the stability of newly developed promising lines with traditional commercial cultivars. Subject research was conducted in Ankara between 1983-1989 on common and durum wheat cultivars and lines. Regression coefficient (b) was used as the criterion of genotypes' responsiveness to environment whereas deviation from regression (S²d) and coefficient of determination (r²) were used as stability parameters. Each experiment year was regarded as an environment and yield average of each year was used as the environmental index.
In consequence of the research, it was determined that new varieties with high yield, adaptable to diverse environments could be developed by means of hybridizations between parents having different genetic characteristics which were provided from diverse ecological regions.     

Physiological Analysis of Yield Variation in Mungbean (Vigna radiata [Roxb.] Wilczek)

Two mungbean varieties, Guj-1 and PIMS-1 differing in their productivity potential, were examined to investigate their photosynthetic system at various stages of growth in relation to yield with two different dates of sowing. Vertical leaves were found to be beneficial. On the other hand, excessive leaf area during the later stages of growth may be detrimental to yield. Lower LAD at seedling stage and overall high NAR values may be reflected in higher grain yield. NAR declined as season progressed and this, in turn, may be related with increase in LAI. The grain yield was considerably more at the first date of sowing as compared to second date of sowing, the effect was being more pronounced in var. PIMS-1 . Various environmental factors recorded at two different dates of sowing and at various stages of growth indicated that these factors may have influenced the yield potential at two different dates of sowing.     

Stress parameters and immune response of layers under different cage floor and density conditions

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of cage floor and cage density on stress parameters of laying hens. A total of 162 brown laying hens (Hyline Brown), aged 34 weeks, were used in the experiment. Compact-type battery cages, with three floors, were used. Hens were allocated as one, three or five hens in each of 18 cages to obtain three different cage density groups of 1968, 656 and 393.8 cm² floor area per hen, respectively. The same number of cages with different cage density were allocated to three different battery floors (first floor=top, second=middle, third=bottom) systematically. Values for body weight, mortality rate, egg weight, egg production, egg quality characteristics, egg yolk cholesterol content, the levels of blood plasma corticosterone, serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides, the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes (H-L ratio), antibody titers, claw length score, foot health score, plumage score and throat skin injuries were taken as indicators of stress. The values for egg weight (P<0.01) at the first floor were greater than the other floor levels. The group with five hens per cage had significantly lower mean estimates (P<0.01) than other groups with respects to body weight (P<0.001), egg production (P<0.001), egg weight (P<0.001) and plumage score (P<0.01), while significantly higher mean estimates for egg albumen index (P<0.01), Haugh unit (P<0.01), serum glucose (P<0.001), and H-L ratio (P<0.001). Serum cholesterol was higher in cages with one hen than that with five hens, whereas plasma corticosterone was lower. Antibody titers in cages with one hen was similar to that with three or five hens; however, those with three hens had higher titers than those with five hens. Values for egg breaking strength, yolk index, egg cholesterol content, and foot health score were not affected by cage density or floor. The results suggest that the allocation of three hens per cage had no measurable effect on health and welfare.     

Some determinants of the spatio-temporal fire cycle in a mediterranean landscape (Corsica,France)

Based on recent needs to accurately understand fire regimes and post-fire vegetation resilience at a supra-level for carbon cycle studies, this article focusses on the coupled history of fire and vegetation pattern for 40 years on a fire-prone area in central Corsica (France). This area has been submitted since the beginning of the 20^th century to land abandonment and the remaining land management has been largely controlled by frequent fires. Our objectives were to rebuild vegetation and fire maps in order to determine the factors which have driven the spatial and temporal distribution of fires on the area, what were the feed backs on the vegetation dynamics, and the long-term consequences of this inter-relationship. The results show a stable but high frequency of small fires, coupled with forest expansion over the study period. The results particularly illustrate the spatial distribution of fires according to topography and vegetation, leading to a strong contrast between areas never burnt and areas which have been burnt up to 7 times. Fires, when occuring, affect on average 9 to 12% of the S, SE and SW facing slopes (compared to only 2 to 5% for the N facing slopes), spread recurrently over ridge tops, affect all the vegetation types but reburn preferentially shrublands and grasslands. As these fire-proning parameters have also been shown to decrease the regeneration capacity of forests, this study highlights the needs in spatial studies (both in terms of fire spread and vegetation dynamic) to accurately apprehend vegetation dynamic and functionning in fire-prone areas.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

长江安庆江段存在溯河洄游型和淡水定居型刀鲚实证研究

为了探究长江十年禁渔后安庆江段刀鲚的生境履历,利用X射线电子探针微区分析技术研究安庆江段不同类型长颌刀鲚(Coilia nasus)和短颌刀鲚的耳石Sr和Ca微化学特征。结果显示,根据耳石Sr/Ca值的变化值将安庆江段的短颌刀鲚分为2类,一类是其比值为一直小于3.0的低值,表明其纯淡水的生境履历;另一类是其比值不仅有小于3.0的低值区,还有大于3.0的高值区(小于7.0),表明其不仅有淡水的生境履历,还有高盐度的河口半咸水生境履历。长颌刀鲚的耳石Sr/Ca值均具有小于3.0的低值区和大于3.0 (甚至大于7.0)高值区的显著波动,表现为典型的淡水、河口半咸水及海水的溯河洄游型生境履历,Sr含量面分析图谱也可印证上述结果。本研究表明,长江安庆江段刀鲚群体组成较为复杂,同时存在溯河洄游型、淡水定居型短颌刀鲚和溯河洄游型长颌刀鲚3种生态表型个体。     

不同杀菌工艺对延长货架期牛乳品质的影响

比较传统高温热杀菌、蒸汽浸入式杀菌、膜过滤结合巴氏杀菌对延长货架期牛乳品质的影响,测定不同热处理工艺对微生物指标、货架期、活性物质乳铁蛋白和免疫球蛋白G(immunoglobulin G,IgG)损失率及糠氨酸含量的影响,并优化蒸汽浸入式杀菌、膜过滤结合巴氏杀菌的工艺参数。结果表明：与传统高温杀菌工艺比较,蒸汽浸入式杀菌（147℃、0.09 s）产品货架期更长,品质更稳定,杀菌后糠氨酸含量较低且保留少量的活性物质;膜过滤结合72℃、15 s杀菌能更好地保留活性物质乳铁蛋白和IgG,但是该工艺对贮藏温度要求较高,全程贮藏温度需低于6℃,才能够确保产品在货架期内的品质稳定。     

不同光照处理下外施营养液和激素对万圣节法师叶色变化的影响[1]

To study the effects of light, external nutrition, and hormones on the color changes of Aeonium aeonium "Halloween" leaves. In this study, the 1-year-old stem cuttings of the Aeonium aeonium "Halloween" were used as materials. The leaves were sprayed with 25mg/L methyl jasmonic acid, 3‰ potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and 1‰ calcium magnesium boron mixture for two consecutive times, with an interval of 3 days. The experiment consisted of CK (water control), LS, DS (dark culture for 1 week). After 1 week of treatment, the leaf color parameters and anthocyanin pigment content were measured every 7 days for 6 consecutive weeks. The results showed that the treatment time and method had a significant impact on the leaf color parameters. In terms of brightness value L, as the treatment time extended, all three treatments showed an upward downward upward trend. Among them, the highest value was reached after 2 weeks of treatment, gradually decreased after 3 weeks, and sharply increased again after 6 weeks; In terms of red green saturation a value, after 2-4 weeks of treatment, both LS and DS treatments were significantly higher than CK, and the effect significantly decreased after 5 weeks; Light has a significant impact on a value, with DS treatment showing a significant decrease in a value after one week of shading, and a sharp increase after re lighting; In terms of the b value of yellow and blue saturation, the change in CK value is relatively small with the extension of treatment time, while the fluctuation in LS and DS treatment is significant; In terms of color saturation c value, DS treatment significantly increased with the prolongation of treatment time, and there was no significant change in LS and CK treatment within 1-3 weeks. After 3 weeks of treatment, there was no significant difference between the three treatments; With the extension of treatment time, the anthocyanin content of each treatment showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. After 2-3 weeks of treatment, the anthocyanin content was higher, and gradually decreased after 4 weeks of treatment; Correlation analysis shows that anthocyanin content is highly significantly positively correlated with a and c values, and anthocyanin content is a key factor in the red color of Aeonium aeonium "Halloween".     

不同温度下的豌豆蚜实验种群生命表研究

在6种温度(12、15、18、21、24℃和27℃)和相对湿度为80%的条件下,研究了温度对豌豆蚜发育和增殖的影响。组建了生命表,并统计出种群内禀增长率、净增殖率、世代平均周期、种群加倍时间和周限增长率等种群动态参数。结果表明,在试验温度范围内,豌豆蚜的发育历期随温度升高而缩短。种群的内禀增长率在24℃条件下最大(rm=0.281 0),相应的种群净增殖率(R0)、周限增长率(λ)、平均世代周期(T)和种群加倍时间(t)分别为17.030 9、1.324 5、10.089 3 d和2.466 7 d。     

TritonX-100对月季切花效应的研究

以月季为材料,研究聚乙二醇辛基苯基醚(TritonX-100)预处理缓解水分胁迫对切花的影响.结果表明:体积分数0.01 % TritonX-100预处理1 h能有效缓解短期水分胁迫对月季切花水分代谢的影响,从而使切花瓶插寿命接近正常水平.