海洋微藻活体及乙醇固定状态下基因组DNA的微量提取方法

探讨了海洋微藻活体及固定状态下基因组DNA的提取方法,即作者改进的CTAB法.结果表明,CTAB改进法提取的基因组DNA蛋白质、酚、盐和小分子的污染较少,多糖成份也得到了有效去除.用5%乙醇固定样本提取DNA的效果最好,对原生动物抑制效果也较明显;10%以上的乙醇可杀死原生动物,但对DNA的降解率较大;30%以上的乙醇对细菌抑制较明显,但DNA都有较大程度的降解.本法提取的DNA可用于正常的酶切和PCR.用甲醛、甲醇/冰醋酸等其它固定液固定样品,DNA的得率低或者质量和纯度低.图7表1参27     

一种提取富含油脂植物组织总RNA的改良SDS酸酚法

采用常规的方法提取富含油脂的植物组织总RNA常难以取得满意的结果.对林莎两次裂解法进行了改良,即将SDS的浓度降低至1%,所用酸酚的pH值降低至4.0,去掉提取液Ⅱ处理步骤,获得的总RNA效果较好:得率高,RNA产量可达74.7 μg(100 mg)-1;没有DNA污染,A260 nm/A280 nm/2.026,A260 nm/A230 nm值为2.082,说明蛋白质及其它污染非常低,通过RT-PCR成功地扩增出了麻疯树curcin基因长为927 bp的特异条带.相比林莎的方法,改良SDS酸酚法具有经济、简便、适用性广的特点.图5表1参13     

从顽拗植物荔枝中提取基因组DNA技术的研究

针对荔枝体内含有大量影响ＤＮＡ提取质量的多酚等次生代谢物质的特点，在常规ＳＤＳ和ＣＴＡＢ提取方法的基础上做了技术改进，即在核裂解之间先破碎细胞，将存在于细胞质中次生物质除去后再裂解细胞核，同时加入活性炭以吸咐杂质反复清洗几次后加入核型解液释放基因组ＤＮＡ，纯化之后经外观和电泳检测，以及Ｄ２６０ｎｍ和Ｄ２８０ｎｍ比值的测定，限制性内切酶反应，ＰＣＲ扩增的结果表明，用改进方法提取的ＤＮＡ无论在纯度上还     

一种经济、简单的微生物基因组DNA的提取方法

获得一定浓度和纯度的DNA是进行分子生物学研究的基础。破解细胞壁与细胞膜是获得基因组DNA的前提，而蛋白质和核酸物质的分离是获得高质量DNA产物的关键。目前，主要采用的破壁方法有：冷冻研磨法、溶菌酶法、EDTA测等，这些方法一般采用复杂的裂解液体系，并借助蛋白酶K和RNA酶的帮助来获得高质量的抽提产物。由于细胞裂解体系不仅配制十分麻烦，而日部分药品有毒操作危险性大，此外部分药品及相关酶试剂价格昂贵。本文充分利用DNA在不同温度下自身可变性与复性的特性和在高盐与高温条件下蛋白质能够变性并沉淀。以无菌的SDS（c／c=20％）和NaCl（c/c=8％）的混合液作裂解体系，在沸水浴中破壁膜并使得部分的蛋白质变性和DNA变性并得到初步分离；随后在60℃和72℃水浴中使变性的DNA复性和重新凝聚，同时让RNA、蛋白质和细胞壁碎片等杂质降解或沉淀，从而获得高质量的DNA产物。     

湖流域土壤微生物基因组总DNA分离纯化及其质粒文库的初步构建

采用研磨／冻融和SDV蛋白酶K热处理以及CTAB处理等理化方法，直接从太湖流域土壤样品中抽提得到微生物总基因组DNA，所得粗DNA用透析袋法以及Nucleaotrap suspension DNA纯化试剂盒进行了纯化，纯化过的DNA能够满是常用限制性内切酶酶切、细菌16S rDNA通用引物和随机引物进行PCR扩增的要求，将所得纯品DNA经过EcoRI部分酶切之后与酶切并脱磷酸的pSK^ 空载体连接，再以大肠杆菌JM109为宿主细胞初步构建了土壤微生物基因组文库，图6参7     

土壤宏蛋白质组学蛋白质提取方法及其应用

土壤宏蛋白质组学在揭示土壤微生物功能、代谢与环境相互作用方面具有广阔的应用前景,但由于土壤样品的特殊性,土壤蛋白质提取步骤是限制土壤宏蛋白质组学大规模应用的瓶颈之一.本文从样品制备、提取方法、影响因素等方面综述了土壤蛋白提取方面的研究进展.一般来说,根据实验目的、蛋白种类及后续研究方法设计相应的分组成收集策略才能取得较好的提取效果.土壤总蛋白、胞内蛋白与胞外蛋白分别有不同的提取方法.总蛋白提取一般采用直接提取法;胞外蛋白不需要裂解;胞内蛋白提取方法有直接提取法和间接提取法等.裂解、浓缩、去除腐殖质的方法以及提取液、pH值的选择等也会影响提取效果.此外,简单介绍了土壤宏蛋白质组学的应用,并对今后的研究工作提出展望.表1参36     

质粒DNA小量提取法的改进

介绍了一种改进的小量提取质粒DNA的方法,该方法用NH4Ac和LiCl代替常规方法中苯酚和氯仿的抽提,有效去除了样品中RNA和蛋白质;用95%乙醇代替无水乙醇沉淀质粒DNA,降低了终产物中盐和多糖等杂质的含量,获得的质粒DNA质量好,产率高,能满足常规分子生物学实验的要求,如PCR、酶切、转化大肠杆菌以及植物遗传转化.图4表1参7     

真菌核酸的一种快速提取方法

在总结多种真菌DNA和RNA提取方法的基础上，发展了一种提取真菌核酸新方法，与其它方法相比，该方法具有快速、操作简便等特点，而且提取DNA和RNA步骤基本一致，用该方法提取的DNA完整、纯度高，可用于PR、限制性内切酶酶切和Southern杂交等分子生物学操作；提取RNA产量高，RNA无降解，纯度高，适用Northern和cDNA合成等分子生物学操作。     

镉铜污染尾矿土中添加耐镉铜菌剂J5后微生物区系多样性的变化

采用酶解法和化学裂解法相结合的方法从安徽铜陵镉铜污染尾矿土中提取出土壤微生物基因组总DNA,并应用PCR-DGGE技术对比研究尾矿土中添加外源硫酸镉、硫酸铜和耐镉铜菌剂J5(Pseudomonassp.)后微生物区系多样性的变化.结果表明,尾矿土中微生物基因组总DNA分子量大小为21kb左右,未复垦的尾矿砂中微生物总DNA量较少,CdSO4处理后的尾矿土中微生物基因组总DNA量明显下降,而添加菌剂J5的尾矿土中微生物基因组总DNA量上升.DGGE电泳图谱进一步显示,尾矿土样中添加镉离子使图谱条带减少,分析表明尾矿土中的细菌种类数减少;而添加菌剂J5使图谱中条带明显增加,表明菌剂J5可提高尾矿土中土著微生物的活性和群落丰富度,可用于复合重金属污染尾矿区的生态恢复.     

土壤RNA提取方法研究进展

总RNA提取是进行实时荧光定量PCR、Northern杂交分析及cDNA文库建立等分子生物学实验研究的基础.提取出高质量高产量的土壤RNA已成为研究土壤微生物的关键步骤.综述了常用的几种土壤RNA提取方法,包括强变性剂法、Trizol法、CTAB法、SDS-Phenol法、酶解法以及试剂盒等方法.提取过程中化学试剂的选择及配比需依据不同的土壤类型,其中Trizol法在提取总RNA时应用广泛,再结合适当的物理破碎及生物学方法,可得到理想的RNA.试剂盒法提取土壤RNA方便快捷,纯度高但产量低,且对土壤具有选择性.最后提出了土壤RNA提取过程常见的一些问题和注意事项,为土壤RNA提取方法的选择提供依据.     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.