一株兼性嗜冷小甲烷粒菌的生物学特性及系统发育分析

采用改进的亨盖特(Hungate)厌氧技术,从西藏林芝厌氧消化系统中分离到一株产甲烷菌菌株LZ-6.该菌株为革兰氏阴性,不运动,球形,直径约0.3～0.6μm.该菌株利用H2/CO2,微利用甲酸生长,不利用乙酸、甲醇、甲醇/H2、三甲胺、甲胺,最适生长pH为6.8～7.2,最适生长温度25℃,最适Na+浓度0.2mol/L.菌株LZ-6的16SrRNA基因序列与小甲烷粒菌(Methanocorpusculum parvum)相似性为99%.生理、形态结构特征等生物学特性研究表明此株产甲烷古菌为兼性嗜冷产甲烷古菌.     

极端嗜热厌氧纤维素菌的分离鉴定、系统发育分析及其酶学性质的研究

从云南高温温泉、油井等热源地区采集的大量样品中,获得了一株特殊的极端嗜热厌氧纤维素分解菌B2.分离菌株直杆,革兰氏阴性(G-),未观察到孢子,细胞单个或成对出现.菌体大小为0.4μm×(2-4)μm,严格厌氧,生长温度范围50-70℃,最适生长温度65℃.pH范围4-8,最适pH 7.0.在纤维素粉琼脂上菌落直径2-4 mm,乳白色.分离菌株能利用纤维二糖、葡萄糖、蔗糖、松子糖、淀粉、覃糖等作为碳源,分离菌株还可利用纤维素滤纸、纤维素粉、微晶纤维素、纤维素粉MN300和甘蔗渣、水稻秸杆.发酵纤维素产生乙醇、乙酸.在菌株B2的纤维素酶系中,C1酶、Cx酶和β-葡萄糖苷酶的最适温度分别为80℃、80℃和70℃,其比值为1:9:10,同时发现Cx酶具有较高的热稳定性.部分长度的16S rDNA序列分析表明,分离菌株B2与Thermoanaerobacter ethanalicus具有99.8％相似性.分离菌株B2为Thermoanaerobacter属.图5表3参21     

一株高浸磷嗜酸氧化硫硫杆菌的分离与鉴定

从矿山土样中分离到一株嗜酸的浸磷矿细菌HY-01,观察其形态并研究其培养特征.结果显示,该菌株为革兰氏阴性、短杆状运动细菌,菌体长1～2μm,宽0.5～0.7 μm,能在pH 1.5～8.0的范围内生长,最适生长温度为37℃,最适pH为1.5～3.0.该菌株可以KNO3、NH4NO3、(NH4)2CO3、NH4H2PO...     

煤层水中一株产甲烷菌的分离与系统发育分析

为了解煤层中产甲烷菌的生理生化特性,结合厌氧培养箱和平板划线分离技术从山东兖煤菏泽能化公司赵楼煤矿距离地表936 m处坑道顶板取得40℃煤层水样品中微生物进行富集分离纯化.结果表明:在该条件下存在产甲烷微生物,并分离得到一株产甲烷菌株M-3,该菌株呈短杆状,菌体大小约(1.0-2.0)μm×0.5μm;革兰氏染色显阳性;在平板上生长出圆形黄色菌落,边缘光滑整齐;可以利用乙酸、甲酸、甲醇和H2+CO2(V/V=2:1)作为唯一碳源生长;最适生长温度为45℃;对酸碱具有良好的适应性,中性条件下甲烷产量最多;最适NaCl浓度为0.2-0.6 mol L-1.对菌株M-3的16S rRNA基因序列同源性分析表明该菌株与Methanobacterium bryantii同源性高达99%,G+C含量32.9%.本研究通过形态、生理生化特性以及16S rRNA分析,鉴定菌株M-3为M.brytantii.     

泸州古酿酒窖池中两株产甲烷杆菌比较研究

采用厌氧操作技术,从泸州老窖古酿酒窖池窖泥中分离到两株产甲烷杆菌0372-D1和0072-D2.0372-D1菌体形态为长杆状,略弯,两端整齐,不运动,可由多个菌体形成长链;在固体培养基中难以长出菌落,只利用H2+CO2产生甲烷.0072-D2菌体形态为弯曲杆状,淡黄色圆形菌落,利用H2+CO2或甲酸盐作为唯一碳源生长.两株菌最适生长温度均为35℃、菌株0372-D1最适生长pH为6.5～7.0,生长pH范围5.0～8.0;菌株0072-D2最适生长pH则为7.5.在各自最适条件下培养,两株菌的最短增代时间分别为19 h和8 h.通过形态、生理生化特征和16S rDNA序列的同源性分析,表明菌株0372-D1为产甲烷杆菌属的一个新种.0072-D2则为甲酸甲烷杆菌(Methanobacterium formicicum)的新菌株,相似性为99%.     

一株耐盐嗜热菌Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus H7的分离及其油脂降解特性

针对高盐、高油餐厨垃圾高温堆肥功能菌株缺乏的问题,以大豆油为唯一碳源,通过测定生物量、脂肪酶活性和油脂降解率,从餐厨垃圾堆积处的土壤样品中分离筛选出一株嗜热油脂降解菌H7.通过形态特征、生理生化特征和16SrDNA序列分析,对筛选的菌株进行鉴定,考察其耐盐能力、油脂降解和生长特性.结果表明,菌株H7为嗜热嗜气解硫胺素芽孢杆菌(Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus),最高耐盐浓度为30 g/L.菌株H7在油脂浓度为15 g/L的发酵培养基中发酵72 h,油脂降解率为60.11%,菌体浓度OD600为1.88,脂肪酶活性为11.65 U/mL.菌株H7可生长的温度为40-60℃,pH值为5-8,摇床转速为120-240 r/min,最适生长的温度为50℃,pH值为6,摇床转速为220 r/min.本研究获得了具有耐盐性和能降解高浓度油脂的嗜热菌株H7,可为高盐高油脂含量的餐厨垃圾堆肥提供微生物菌种资源.(图8表2参34)     

几种环境因子对塔玛亚历山大藻(大鹏湾株)生长及其藻毒力影响

在室内条件下研究了温度 (θ/℃ )、盐度 (ρ/gL-1)及pH对有毒甲藻塔玛亚历山大藻 (大鹏株 )的生长及其毒力的影响 .实验表明 ,塔玛亚历山大藻θopt为 15～ 2 5℃ ,最大生长率出现在接种后 6～ 8d ;在盐度为 14～32g/L范围内 ,该藻均可生长 ,盐度 2 3～ 2 7g/L时生长最佳 ;在弱酸弱碱下 ,该藻可较好生长 ,pHopt=6～ 7;用小白鼠法测得本藻株c(HCl) =0 .1mol/L提液的麻痹性贝毒毒力为 0 .5 0× 10 -5～ 3.2× 10 -5Mu/cell,在同种藻株中属低毒藻株 .与其他作者对本藻株用不同毒素抽提方法及测定技术所得结果的比较表明 ,其藻毒力测定值最大相差达 30倍 .图 3表 2参 17     

硫氧化细菌的分离鉴定及降解特性

从浙江华海药业污水处理系统中分离得到一株硫氧化细菌T3,基于形态特征、生理生化、16S rRNA基因序列系统学分析和Biolog鉴定系统分析,鉴定该菌株为根瘤菌属.摇瓶实验结果表明,T3生物降解最适生长温度为30℃,最适pH值为8.0,外加氯化铵、碳源对菌株生长及硫化钠降解有促进作用,驯化后的硫氧化细菌对硫化钠有很强的耐受能力,最优生长条件下,2 d内菌株T3能将400 mg/L以下浓度的硫化钠降解彻底,是一株有应用前景的硫氧化细菌.通过测定代谢过程中各种物质的含量,确定该菌株对硫化钠的去除机理为S2-→S2O32-/S0→SO32-→SO42-.图8表1参18     

脱硫脱硫弧菌去除SO2的工艺条件研究

从太原污水处理厂分离到1株硫酸盐还原菌,对其进行形态学观察及生理生化特征测定,鉴定为脱硫脱硫弧菌(Desulfovibriodesulfuricans).该菌株在pH=7、温度30℃、搅拌速度270r/min时生长最好,处理SO2的能力最强.当二氧化硫进口浓度小于10334mg/m3,SO2-3累积浓度小于87.31mg/L时,菌体生长良好,碱液流加速率较小,但当二氧化硫进口浓度达到11582mg/m3,SO2-累积至124.06mg/L时,菌体生长受到抑制,系统被破坏.图6参11     

一株大熊猫肠道厌氧纤维素菌的分离鉴定、系统发育分析及生物学特性的研究

从成都动物园健康大熊猫的肠道采集样品,富集分离获得一株典型的厌氧纤维素分解菌PD.分离菌是杆状,革兰氏阳性(G ),菌体大小为0.5μm×(3～5)μm,严格厌氧;生长温度为25～40℃,最适生长温度为38℃;pH范围5.0～9.0,最适pH7.2;在纤维素粉作碳源的琼脂培养基上菌落直径为1～3mm,白色透明斑;分离菌株不仅能利用纤维二糖、葡萄糖、蔗糖、淀粉、松三糖、覃糖等多种可溶性碳源,而且可以利用纤维素粉等不溶性碳源.同时,对菌株PD进行了16SrDNA的PCR扩增,并对扩增产物测序.对16SrDNA部分序列进行了分析,并构建了系统发育树,表明菌株PD属于梭菌属,与Clostridiumlentocellum(T)的16SrDNA序列具有92.2%相似性.图5表1参18     

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.