不同生态型芦竹对Cd、Hg、Pb、Cu的富集与分布

介绍了生态型芦竹(Arundo donax Linn)的生物特性,并对芦竹修复湿地重金属污染能力进行了研究。芦竹具有生物量大、根系发达、适应性强等特点,在重金属污染环境下,有较好的耐受性。研究不同生态型芦竹对Cd、Hg、Pb、Cu的富集与分布,对重金属污染湿地的修复具有指导作用。采集了4个不同环境下的芦竹样本,对重金属富集量和在植物器官中的分布情况进行研究分析。结果表明,芦竹对镉、铅、汞有较好吸收,地上部叶内富集量分别为57.40～33.22mg·kg-1,412.4～312.4mg·kg-1,21.5～11.8mg·kg-1,地上部茎内富集量分别为19.50～4.02mg·kg-1,83.1～43.6mg·kg-1,30.0～19.4mg·kg-1。芦竹对铜的富集能力较弱,地上部叶内和茎内富集量分别是12.4～2.8mg·kg-1,1.4～0.4mg·kg-1。铜和铅在植物器官中的分布为根>叶>茎,镉在植物器官中的分布为叶>根>茎,汞在植物中的分布为根>茎>叶。富集量还与土壤中重金属质量分数有关,一般是随着土壤中重金属质量分数的增大而增加。镉、铅、铜在植物叶中的富集系数大于1,汞在植物茎中的富集系数大于1。综合分析结果表明,芦竹在污染或非污染环境中都能较好地富集镉、铅、汞,基于芦竹具有较大生物量特点,芦竹对湿地重金属污染具有较大的修复潜力。研究芦竹对重金属的吸收与分布,旨在为湿地的植物修复技术提供参考依据。     

冬季农田杂草繁缕对镉的积累特性研究

为进一步筛选出更多的镉超富集植物作为植物修复的材料,本文以冬季农田杂草作为研究对象,采用土壤种子库-金属筛选法进行筛选,以期从冬季农田杂草中筛选出镉超富集植物,为镉污染农田土壤的冬季植物修复提供材料。通过土壤种子库-金属筛选法初步研究发现,冬季农田杂草繁缕(Stellaria media)地上部分镉含量接近超富集植物的临界值(100 mg·kg-1),但转运系数(TF)小于1,可能是镉富集植物。为此,采用盆栽试验进行了进一步的浓度梯度鉴定。结果表明,随土壤镉含量的增加,繁缕根系生物量、地上部分生物量、主枝长度、根系长度、抗性系数及耐性系数均随土壤镉含量的增加而下降,但繁缕根系及地上部分镉含量呈显著增加的趋势。与对照相比,在土壤镉质量分数为25、50、75、100和125 mg·kg-1时,繁缕总生物量分别下降了17.31%、34.87%、44.79%、52.12%和59.32%,但各个处理均没有表现出明显毒害症状。土壤镉含量为75~125 mg·kg-1时,繁缕地上部分镉含量均大于100 mg·kg-1,最大值为135.79 mg·kg-1,地上部分富集系数(BCF)大于1,但转运系数(TF)小于1。在土壤镉含量为100 mg·kg-1时,繁缕地上部分镉提取量达到最大值,为87.42μg·plant-1。这些结果表明繁缕是一种镉富集植物。虽然繁缕的单株镉提取率较低,但繁缕具有分蘖力强、繁殖力强、生长密度大、耐荫性强等特点,因此适用于冬季农田镉污染的修复。     

忍冬--一种新发现的镉超富集植物

镉(Cd)是毒性最强的重金属元素之一,具有稳定、积累和不易消除等特性,进入土壤环境中易被植物吸收,并可通过食物链进入人体,在人体内不断积累,严重威胁人体健康及生命安全。植物修复技术(Phytoremediation)是近年来发展起来的一种主要用于清除土壤重金属污染的绿色生态技术。植物修复技术的核心是找到超富集植物(Hyperaccumulator),但现已知的超富集植物往往存在生物量低、生长缓慢、地域性较强和修复时间较长等缺陷,且研究对象多集中矿区及草本植物,而对木本植物的研究甚少,因此有必要针对这一问题开展相关研究以丰富超富集植物的种类。为此,本文采用水培和土培相结合的试验方法,研究木本植物忍冬Lonicera japonica Thunb.对不同浓度镉(Cd)的生长响应及积累特性。结果表明：不同浓度的Cd处理对忍冬的生长并未造成毒害症状,表现为其根部和地上部生物量与对照相比并无显著差异。无论水培还是土培生长条件下,在较高浓度的Cd处理下,忍冬仍能保持正常生长,表现出很好的耐性。在水培条件下,当营养液中Cd处理浓度为25 mg·L-1时,忍冬地上部中Cd含量接近300.00μg·g-1;而在土培条件下,当土壤中Cd处理浓度为50 mg·kg-1时,其地上部中Cd含量仍远远高于Cd超富集植物的临界含量标准,即地上部分富集Cd超过100μg·g-1,且其具有较高的耐性系数（index of tolerance,IT均超过0.80）和富集系数（bioaccumulation factor,BF均远超过1.00）,这表明忍冬具备了Cd超富集植物的特征,是一种新发现的Cd超富集植物,将其应用于Cd污染土壤修复具有重要的现实意义。     

三明铅锌矿区植物对重金属的富集特征

采用野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法,对福建三明典型矿区尤溪铅锌矿、大田铅锌矿以及尤溪铅锌矿冶炼厂等进行了调查,研究这些矿区重金属含量较高的区域如采矿区、尾砂库、洗矿排水沟以及铅锌矿冶炼厂厂区和排水沟冲积扇区域土壤中的Pb、Zn和Cd的含量,在此基础上,对在这些区域自然定居的16种优势植物体内的三种重金属元素的耐性、富集特性进行了分析。结果表明:该矿区的主要优势物种为禾本科和菊科植物,其中笔管草(Equisetum ramosissimum)、一年蓬(Erigeron annuus)和五节芒(Miscanthus floridulus)的地上部重金属富集量较大,对矿区周边污染土壤修复有潜在应用价值;乌蕨(Stenoloma chusana)、千金子(Bochloe dactyloides)、二歧飘拂草(Fimbristylis dichotoma)、柔枝莠竹(Microctegium Vimineum)、短叶水蜈蚣(Kyllinga brevifolia)、狗娃花(Heteropappus hispidus)适用于污染程度较高且植物萃取技术难以实施的重金属污染矿业废弃地。矿区植物地上部Zn含量平均值最高,为1225.74mg·kg-1,植物地上部Pb含量范围在52.78～2137.11mg·kg-1,平均为521.39mg·kg-1;一年蓬地上部Cd含量达到了119.51mg·kg-1,超过了超富集植物的临界值100mg·kg-1,转运系数为1.3,是潜在的Cd超富集植物。     

三明铅锌矿区植物对重金属的富集特征

采用野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法,对福建三明典型矿区尤溪铅锌矿、大田铅锌矿以及尤溪铅锌矿冶炼厂等进行了调查,研究这些矿区重金属含量较高的区域如采矿区、尾砂库、洗矿排水沟以及铅锌矿冶炼厂厂区和排水沟冲积扇区域土壤中的Pb、Zn和Cd的含量,在此基础上,对在这些区域自然定居的16种优势植物体内的三种重金属元素的耐性、富集特性进行了分析。结果表明：该矿区的主要优势物种为禾本科和菊科植物,其中笔管草（Equisetum ramosissimum）、一年蓬（Erigeron annuus）和五节芒（Miscanthus floridulus）的地上部重金属富集量较大,对矿区周边污染土壤修复有潜在应用价值;乌蕨（Stenolomachusana）、千金子（Bochloe dactyloides）、二歧飘拂草（Fimbristylis dichotoma）、柔枝莠竹（Microctegium Vimineum）、短叶水蜈蚣（Kyllingabrevifolta）、狗娃花（Heteropappushispidus）适用于污染程度较高且植物萃取技术难以实施的重金属污染矿业废弃地。矿区植物地上部zn含量平均值最高,为1225．74mg·kg-1,植物地上部Pb含量范围在52．78-2137．11mg·kg-1,平均为521．39mg·kg-1;一年蓬地上部cd含量达到了119．51mg·kg-1,超过了超富集植物的临界值100mg·kg-1,转运系数为1．3,是潜在的Cd超富集植物。     

3种土壤类型下镉胁迫对红椿生物量分配及其镉富集特性的影响

红椿(Toona ciliata Roem.)为中国国家级(Ⅱ)重点保护植物,同时也是(亚)热带珍贵速生用材树种。为了解镉(Cd)胁迫对红椿生长及镉富集特性的影响,采用盆栽控制试验研究了长江上游3种典型土壤(黄壤、酸性紫色土和冲积土)条件下,不同浓度Cd处理[0(对照)、20、40、80和160 mg·kg-1]对其幼树生长发育、生物量分配、镉积累与分配及镉富集特性的影响,为深入认识镉污染土壤的有效修复提供理论依据。结果显示,(1)低浓度镉胁迫(40 mg·kg~(-1))可促进红椿幼树生长,而高浓度镉胁迫(≥40 mg·kg~(-1))则表现为严重抑制;各器官生物量随镉浓度增加而先升后降,除酸性紫色土壤上茎生物量外。(2)3种土壤条件下,红椿幼树各器官镉含量均随镉处理浓度增大而增大。相同镉浓度处理下主根镉含量表现为:黄壤酸性紫色土≥冲积土,而冲积土条件下侧根镉含量均低于黄壤或酸性紫色土。同时,3种土壤下各器官镉含量随土壤镉浓度增大而增加,且地下部显著大于地上部。(3)随着镉处理浓度增大,除地上部富集系数(BC)在冲积土条件下无显著差异外,其他土壤条件下地上和地下部均显著增大;而3种土壤条件下转移系数(TF)均逐渐降低。高浓度镉胁迫下,幼树BC和TF虽均大于1,但地上部镉含量低于100 mg·kg~(-1)。随着镉浓度升高,3种土壤条件下红椿耐性指数(TI)均先增后降,高镉处理下冲积土TI显著大于黄壤和酸性紫色土壤。红椿虽不是典型的镉超富集植物,但其能在较严重镉污染土壤中较好生存,可作为镉污染区域(特别是镉污染冲击土)潜在的土壤修复树种。     

铅锌冶炼厂土壤污染及重金属富集植物的研究

对株洲市铅锌冶炼厂生产区进行了植被和土壤调查。结果表明，该厂土壤污染以镉铅锌(Cd、Pb、Zn)最为严重，尤其是重金属镉在土壤中含量超过背景值高达208倍，分析原因主要是由于大气尘降和雨水淋洗等使得污染加重。实验采集并分析测定了9种植物中重金属富集量，首次报道了土荆芥是一种铅超富集植物，其体内Pb质量分数高达3888mg／kg。另一种植物商陆能大量富集镉，具有地下部向地上部转运能力强、生物量大、富集总量高的特点，有很大研究价值和应用潜力。另外，荨麻对Zn有较强富集能力，这3种植物可分别用于铅、镉和锌等3种重金属污染土壤的植物修复。     

滇白前(Silene viscidula)对铅、锌、镉的共超富集特征

为了寻找新的重金属超富集植物特别是多金属共超富集植物,调查测定了云南兰坪铅锌矿区北厂矿段生长的8种植物及其根区土壤的重金属质量分数,以及土壤基本理化性质.结果表明:研究区土壤中磷和钾质量分数较低,总氮、总磷、总钾、铵态氮、硝态氮、速效磷分别占土壤干质量的0.2%、0.03%、0.52%、0.0029%、0.000 12%、0.00068%;有机质质量分数平均为4.81%,pH值平均为6.79,电导率变化范围为11.4～140-3μs·cm-1.该矿区土壤中锌(Zn)、铅(Pb)、镉(Cd)、铜(Cu)的质量分数平均值分别为(38 178±23 870)、(18 671±10 143)、(438±345)、(159±:82)mg·kg>-1,除Cu外均超过国家土壤环境质量(GB 15618-1995)三级标准.8种植物地上部Zn、Pb、Cd、Cu质量分数范围分别为271～17 986、51～5 430、1～617、2～26mg·kg-1,尤以滇白前(Silene viscidula Franch)地上部Zn、Pb、Cd质量分数为最高.进一步采集38个滇白前样本对其重金属富集特征进行深人调查,表明其地上部中含zn、Pb和Cd平均为(11 043±3 537)、(1 546±1 044)和(391±196)mg·kg-1,富集系数(地上部和土壤金属质量分数之比)分别为0.35、0.08和1.05,转运系数(地上部和根中金属质量分数之比)均超过1,均值分别为8.21、3.90和8.36.野外调查数据表明,滇白前是一种Pb/Zn/Cd共超富集植物.滇白前对Zn、Pb富集系数小于1,主要是由于其对应土壤中Zn、Pb质量分数太高(平均分别为(45 778±32 819)、(22 512±13 613)mg·kg-1)所致.     

湖南南部铅锌矿区铅锌富集植物筛选研究

在湖南省桂阳县铅锌矿区采用调查和室内分析相结合的方法,采集植物和土壤样品112个,分别测定了土壤和植物样品的铅锌含量,筛选铅锌富集植物。结果表明：矿区土壤铅锌污染十分严重,矿区土壤铅和锌的平均质量分数分别为：2177.22、3165.89 mg·kg^-1。植物样品根系的铅锌质量分数分别为：264.00、666.11 mg·kg^-1,地上部铅锌质量分数平均为165.56、363.87 mg·kg^-1,植物根系的铅锌含量与土壤的铅锌含量呈显著正相关。通过对比分析,以地上部铅质量分数大于450 mg·kg^-1、锌质量分数大于750 mg·kg^-1、转运系数大于1、植物地上部形态高大为筛选条件,筛选出5种铅富集植物分别是：糯米团（Hyrtanandra）、水蓼（Polygonum hydropiper）、酸模（RumexacetosaLinn）、毛叶堇菜（Viola verecumda A.Gray）、地榆（Garden Burnet Root）;3种锌富集植物分别是：鬼针草（Bidens pilosa L.）、博落回（Macleaya cordata（Willd.） R. Brown）和糯米团;糯米团茎叶的铅锌质量分数分别为635.48、919.51 mg·kg^-1,可作为铅锌复合污染土壤修复的备选植物品种。     

关于超富集植物的新理解

长期以来重金属超富集植物定义存在着严重的不足，新的评价系数的提出势在必行。文章在生物富集系数和转运系数的基础上创造性地提出了新的评价系数即生物富集量系数，其内涵为给定生长期内单位面积地上部分植物吸收的重金属总量与土壤含量之比。此系数的提出扩大了传统超富集植物的定义，使得富集质量分数未达某一水平，但生物量很大的植物也能作为超富集植物。这为今后超富集植物的筛选提供了一定的参考，为土壤重金属污染的植物修复工程提供了理论基础。     

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     

Representation of the world's biophysical conditions by the global protected area network

Protected areas (PAs) are often implemented without consideration of already existing PAs, which is likely to cause an overrepresentation of certain biophysical conditions. We assessed the representativeness of the current PA network with regard to the world's biophysical conditions to highlight which conditions are underprotected and where these conditions are located. We overlaid terrestrial and marine PAs with information on biophysical conditions (e.g., temperature, precipitation, and elevation) and then quantified the percentage of area covered by the PA network. For 1 variable at a time in the terrestrial realm, high temperature, low precipitation, and medium and very high elevation were underrepresented. For the marine realm, low and medium sea surface temperature (SST), medium and high sea surface salinity (SSS), and the deep sea were underrepresented. Overall, protection was evenly distributed for elevation across the terrestrial realm and SST across the marine realm. For 2 variables at a time, cold and very dry terrestrial environments had mostly low protection, which was also the case for low SST and low and medium SSS across most depths for marine environments. Low protection occurred mostly in the Sahara and the Arabian Peninsula for the terrestrial realm and along the Tropic of Capricorn and toward the poles for the marine realm. Although biodiversity measures are of prime importance for the design of PA networks, highlighting biophysical gaps in current PAs adds a frequently overlooked perspective. These gaps may weaken the potential of PAs to conserve biodiversity. Thus, our results may provide useful insights for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to establish a more comprehensive global PA network.     

Quantitative composition of the defensive secretion ofBledius species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) is adapted to naturally occurring predators

Summary The adaptation of defensive secretions to their target organisms was examined for the abdominal gland secretions ofBledius furcatus, B. spectabilis andB. arenarius. Therefore the target organisms of the secretion of theseBledius species (i.e. their predators) had to be identified. At the collection sites examined these were the earwigLabidura riparia, the antCataglyphis bicolor, the flyLispe candicans, different carabids of the generaPogonus, Dichirotrichus, Dyschirius, Bembidion andCalathus and the wading birdsHaematopus ostralegus andCalidris alba. The secretion of the abdominal glands contains the toxin ptoluquinone dissolved in either-dodecalactone and 1-undecene (B. furcatus andB. spectabilis) or in octanoic acid and octyloctanoate (B. arenarius). The ratio of these solvents is species-specific. Application experiments using some of the natural insect predators (L. riparia, C. bicolor, Pogonus, Di. gustavii, Dyschirius) revealed that these solvent ratios provided a more effective deterrent than other possible ratios. Thus by combining the solvents in certain ratios, the capability of cuticular penetration and therefore the effectiveness of the defensive secretions are adapted to their natural targets.     

Democracy versus development: New urban debates

The politics of development includes subtexts of choice, as underpinned by community consensus (or lack of it), against the larger backdrop of a liberal democracy, with its intricate power structures that influence the choice of concepts and often lead to complicity rather than consent. A dilemma exists between the understanding of field-level practitioners and that of academics, whose understandings of progress differ. Progress can (and often does) imply long-term change across generations whereas development is often more a matter of crisis management and delivering tangible results to end-users. This makes it a bone of contention across political systems, irrespective of local or global dynamics. Development can emerge as a tool to be wielded for power and further political mileage at the expense of progress. Progress cannot be studied as a counterpoint to development as the sense of history is often missing in development interventions. Development tends to be piecemeal as its very logic often stems from the rationale of power. This is not to suggest, however, that development is only about politics; it is definitely more than the politics of everyday life and involves all of civil society that requires its critical and immediate attention. In this sense, it has become a priority for politicians with an underlying agenda designed to out-manouevre dissent and all statements of protest.     

A framework to measure the wildness of managed large vertebrate populations

As landscapes continue to fall under human influence through habitat loss and fragmentation, fencing is increasingly being used to mitigate anthropogenic threats and enhance the commercial value of wildlife. Subsequent intensification of management potentially erodes wildness by disembodying populations from landscape-level processes, thereby disconnecting species from natural selection. Tools are needed to measure the degree to which populations of large vertebrate species in formally protected and privately owned wildlife areas are self-sustaining and free to adapt. We devised a framework to measure such wildness based on 6 attributes relating to the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of vertebrates (space, disease and parasite resistance, exposure to predation, exposure to limitations and fluctuations of food and water supply, and reproduction). For each attribute, we set empirical, species-specific thresholds between 5 wildness states based on quantifiable management interventions. We analysed data from 205 private wildlife properties with management objectives spanning ecotourism to consumptive utilization to test the framework on 6 herbivore species representing a range of conservation statuses and commercial values. Wildness scores among species differed significantly, and the proportion of populations identified as wild ranged from 12% to 84%, which indicates the tool detected site-scale differences both among populations of different species and populations of the same species under different management regimes. By quantifying wildness, this framework provides practitioners with standardized measurement units that link biodiversity with the sustainable use of wildlife. Applications include informing species management plans at local scales; standardizing the inclusion of managed populations in red-list assessments; and providing a platform for certification and regulation of wildlife-based economies. Applying this framework may help embed wildness as a normative value in policy and mitigate the shifting baseline of what it means to truly conserve a species.     

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.     

Sexual Predators,Energy Development,and Conservation in Greater Yellowstone

Abstract: In the United States, as elsewhere, a growing debate pits national energy policy and homeland security against biological conservation. In rural communities the extraction of fossil fuels is often encouraged because of the employment opportunities it offers, although the concomitant itinerant workforce is often associated with increased wildlife poaching. We explored possible positive and negative factors associated with energy extraction in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), an area known for its national parks, intact biological diversity, and some of the New World's longest terrestrial migrations. Specifically, we asked whether counties with different economies—recreation (ski), agrarian (ranching or farming), and energy extractive (petroleum)—differed in healthcare (gauged by the abundance of hospital beds) and in the frequency of sexual predators. The absolute and relative frequency of registered sex offenders grew approximately two to three times faster in areas reliant on energy extraction. Healthcare among counties did not differ. The strong conflation of community dishevel, as reflected by in‐migrant sexual predators, and ecological decay in Greater Yellowstone is consistent with patterns seen in similar systems from Ecuador to northern Canada, where social and environmental disarray exist around energy boomtowns. In our case, that groups (albeit with different aims) mobilized campaigns to help maintain the quality of rural livelihoods by protecting open space is a positive sign that conservation can matter, especially in the face of rampant and poorly executed energy extraction projects. Our findings further suggest that the public and industry need stronger regulatory action to instill greater vigilance when and where social factors and land conversion impact biological systems.     

Comparison of the insecticidal effects of water extracted and intact aromatic plants onAcanthoscelides obtectus,a bruchid beetle pest of kidney beans

Summary Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) is one of the most damaging pests of kidney beans,Phaseolus vulgaris L. worldwide. However, aromatic plants from the families Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Poaceae can protect kidney beans by direct or delayed insecticidal effect, through increased adult mortality and inhibition of beetle reproduction (both oviposition and adult emergence). The efficiency of hydrodistillated and intact plants fromThymus vulgaris andT. serpyllum, Mentha piperata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Satureia hortensis, Eucalyptus globulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare, andCymbopogon nardus was compared. For both extracts,Origanum vulgare had the best effect. The insecticidal effect was induced by more than the essential oils because no significant difference was noticed between distilled and intact plants extract. Inhibition of reproduction was particularly important. These results suggest that lipidic as well as non lipidic, allelochemicals, such as phenolics, or non-protein amino-acids, or flavonoids may be involved in the toxicity of aromatic plants to this beetle.     

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.     

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.