双酚A对斑马鱼精巢性激素生成酶基因表达的影响

为了解环境雌激素对鱼类精巢发育的影响,将成年雄性斑马鱼(Danio rerio)暴露于不同浓度双酚A(0、500、1 000、2 000、4 000μg·L-1)下21 d,并在此基础上,进一步研究了暴露在相同浓度(BPA2 000μg·L-1)不同暴露时间下各基因表达的动力学模式。用荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)方法检测试验鱼精巢性激素合成相关细胞色素P450酶类基因(CYP17、CYP11B和CYP19A)以及雌、雄激素受体和促卵泡激素受体(ERα、ERβ、AR和FSHR)基因的表达,用常规组织学方法研究试验鱼精巢结构的变化。结果表明,BPA促进了精巢内源雌激素合成相关酶类基因CYP19A和雌激素受体ERαmRNA、ERβmRNA的表达,且BPA浓度为2 000μg·L-1时3者的表达量显著上调,同时随着暴露时间的延长,具有明显的时间累积效应。1 000μg·L-1BPA可导致斑马鱼精巢CYP17 mRNA的表达量显著下调,BPA2 000μg·L-1暴露12 d引起了CYP11B mRNA表达下调,而随着暴露时间的延长有所回升,但它对精巢AR mRNA的表达却无明显影响。同时,BPA 500μg·L-1引起了FSHR基因的显著上调,在时间动态学上,呈上升趋势。在组织学上,2 000μg·L-1BPA引起斑马鱼精巢生精小管内精子浓缩严重,精原细胞(Sg)和精母细胞(PS和SS)数目都有所减少,BPA 4 000μg·L-1组斑马鱼精巢退化。因此,BPA可诱导精巢内源雌激素合成和雌激素受体的表达,提高雌激素效应,通过抑制CYP17基因的表达,一定程度上抑制雄激素的合成,从而引起斑马鱼精巢组织的破坏。同时,据实验数据推测,雄激素的下调可能启动了下丘脑-垂体-性腺(HPG)轴的负反馈调节机制,而此作用机制还有待进一步研究。     

孕激素左炔诺孕酮长期低剂量暴露对雄性斑马鱼的生殖毒性

孕激素是广泛使用的高生物活性药物,其残留广泛存在于水环境中,对水生生物造成潜在威胁。本论文研究孕激素左炔诺孕酮(LNG)长期暴露对雄性斑马鱼的生殖毒性。将斑马鱼胚胎暴露于环境相关浓度的LNG(10, 33, 100 ng·L~(-1))至性成熟(受精后142 d),得到100%的雄性斑马鱼。将得到的雄鱼与未暴露的雌鱼配对,结果发现100 ng·L~(-1) LNG处理组雄鱼使得未暴露雌鱼产卵的数量较对照组雄鱼使得未暴露雌鱼产卵的数量显著减少。33和100 ng·L~(-1)处理组雄鱼与未暴露雌鱼配对所得子代在受精后7 d内的存活率较对照组雄鱼与未暴露雌鱼配对所得子代的存活率显著降低。33 ng·L~(-1) LNG显著升高总活力、活跃精子活力、平均路径速度、直线运动速度、曲线运动速度等精子活力参数,但其他浓度的LNG并不影响精子的活力。LNG在33和100 ng·L~(-1)的浓度下显著降低雄鱼血浆中11-酮基睾酮(11-KT)的含量,且在3个浓度下均显著降低雄鱼血浆中雌二醇(E2)的含量,但对睾酮(T)无明显影响。此外,LNG暴露可干扰雄鱼大脑和精巢中孕激素受体(npr, mprα, mprβ)、雌激素受体(erα, erβ)以及雄激素受体(ar)的转录,可能通过这些受体途径参与生殖调控。研究结果表明环境相关浓度的左炔诺孕酮长期暴露可导致雄性斑马鱼的生殖内分泌干扰效应,并提示:仅雄鱼单独受孕激素暴露影响,也可能对鱼类种群的生殖产生深远影响。     

腈菌唑不同对映体对丽斑麻蜥性腺系统的影响

腈菌唑(myclobutanil,MT)是一种应用广泛的手性杀菌剂,其手性对映体为(+)-腈菌唑(MT1)和(-)-腈菌唑(MT2)。腈菌唑手性单体具有不同的生物活性,但很少有其对爬行动物的对应选择毒性研究。为了评估腈菌唑手性单体对丽斑麻蜴性腺系统的毒性影响,将MT1(50 mg·kg-1)和MT2(50 mg·kg-1)以经口灌胃方式分别暴露给蜥蜴28 d。暴露期间,记录观察蜥蜴体重、血液中性激素(睾酮T和雌二醇E2)浓度以及性腺相关基因(3β-HSD、17β-HSD、CYP11A、CYP17、CYP19A、ER-α和AR)的表达图谱的变化。在MT1暴露组中,蜥蜴体重在28 d出现明显下降。而在MT2暴露组中,蜥蜴体重没有明显变化。雄性蜥蜴在经过1 d的暴露后,E2浓度在MT1暴露组中明显下降,而在MT2暴露组中明显上升。这些结果表明了腈菌唑手性单体的对映选择性毒性。在MT2暴露14 d后,雌性蜥蜴中CYP19A基因的表达上调弥补了体内E2浓度的降低。在MT1暴露的14 d,蜥蜴卵巢中观察到的CYP11A和CYP17基因表达下调以及CYP19A基因表达不变的这一现象解释了蜥蜴血液中E2和T的浓度减少。这些结果表明:MT1和MT2暴露对蜥蜴体内性激素造成不同的影响,而这些影响会相应改变性腺相关基因的表达。综上所述,MT1和MT2对性腺系统具有潜在的内分泌干扰效应,可能对蜥蜴造成不同程度的生殖损伤。     

广州河涌水体中食蚊鱼肝脏性激素相关基因的表达水平研究

应用食蚊鱼细胞色素P450芳香化酶基因(CYP19α)、卵黄蛋白原基因(VTGα)和雌/雄激素受体基因(ERα/ARα)m RNA转录水平为指标,评价广州海珠涌和黄埔涌食蚊鱼受环境激素物质干扰产生雌/雄性化效应的现状。结果显示,海珠涌宝岗大道段(BG)、洪德路段(HD)和黄埔涌赤岗路段(CG)、苗艺路段(MY)采样点雌鱼性腺CYP19αm RNA表达水平显著降低。雌鱼肝脏VTGαm RNA的表达水平在夏冬两季CG点都显著升高,但在BG、HD和MY点的表达水平在冬季则显著下降;夏冬两季雌鱼雄激素受体ARαm RNA表达水平在各点都显著升高。雄鱼性腺CYP19αm RNA表达水平在各点都无明显差异,但CG点在夏季显著升高,而MY点在冬季则显著下降;雄鱼肝脏VTGα和雌激素受体ERαm RNA表达水平分别在各点都显著升高,但夏季MY点和冬季HD、MY各点无明显差异。结果表明,雌性食蚊鱼的VTGα和CYP19α基因受到不同程度的抑制,ERα较对照REF明显升高,表现出雄激素效应;雄性食蚊鱼VTGα和ERα转录水平较对照REF显著升高,CYP19α基因无显著性差异,表现出雌激素效应。生活在广州海珠涌和黄埔涌中的食蚊鱼受雌/雄激素物质干扰明显,表明河涌中环境激素污染严重。     

微囊藻毒素-LR对雄性黑斑蛙精巢中CYP46A1,CYP2H2和CYP2G1 mRNA表达的影响

微囊藻毒素-LR(microcystin-LR,MC-LR)是分布最广泛和毒性最强的一种微囊藻毒素,对水生动物造成潜在的健康威胁。大量科学研究证实,动物体中的细胞色素P450酶(CYP)参与内源性物质及外源毒性物质的代谢过程。为探究两栖动物生殖器官中的CYP酶对低剂量MC-LR生殖毒效应的调节作用,选择雄性黑斑蛙(Rana nigromaculata)为受试动物,采用静态置换法和体内暴露方法,分别暴露于0、0.1、1和10μg·L~(-1)MC-LR溶液0、7和14 d;用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测精巢中CYP46A1、CYP2H2和CYP2G1的mRNA表达水平。结果表明,暴露于0.1、1和10μg·L~(-1)MC-LR 14 d后,CYP46A1在mRNA水平分别上调了1.86、1.65和1.22倍,CYP2H2在mRNA水平分别上调了4.62、1.80和1.04倍,CYP2G1的mRNA水平分别上调了2.63、2.16和1.56倍。MC-LR在1μg·L~(-1)剂量下暴露7 d后,CYP46A1、CYP2H2和CYP2G1 mRNA水平均出现显著上调。上述研究表明,微囊藻毒素对黑斑蛙精巢3种CYP基因在mRNA水平上都存在低剂量刺激效应。低剂量MC-LR能诱导黑斑蛙精巢中CYP46A1转录水平变化,促进胆固醇转化为24S-羟化胆固醇,潜在破坏雄性黑斑蛙精巢中胆固醇水平的平衡; MC-LR也能够诱导精巢中CYP2H2和CYP2G1转录水平的变化,潜在调节CYP2H2和CYP2G1转录水平,进而影响MC-LR的代谢作用。     

雌二醇短期暴露对非洲爪蟾性腺和输卵管形态及性二态基因表达影响的初步研究

环境雌激素对两栖动物的生殖内分泌干扰作用已引起关注,目前的研究主要集中在长期暴露对性腺分化和发育的影响。以雌二醇(E2,10 nmol·L-1)为模式化合物,以非洲爪蟾为实验动物,6月龄的幼蛙暴露6 d,研究雌激素对性腺和输卵管形态以及性二态性基因表达的影响。结果发现,6 d的E2暴露对精巢和卵巢的形态没有明显影响,但从组织学结构来看对卵和精子的发育有微弱的促进作用。E2能够明显地促进了雌性输卵管的发育,表现为输卵管变粗变弯曲。E2暴露显著抑制精巢和卵巢中性激素合成相关基因cyp11a1、3βHSD、Srd5α、ARO的表达,对cyp17的表达无影响,使脑中LHβ和FSHβ的表达下调;对性别分化和性腺发育相关基因Dax、AR、ERα、TFⅢA、TBPL2的表达均无影响,但能够促进卵巢中Sox3的表达;同时促进脑中Emi2的表达,抑制脑中Dmrt1的表达。因此,输卵管可作为敏感的形态指标,性腺中Srd5α、cyp11a1、3βHSD、ARO、Sox3和脑中LHβ、FSHβ、Dmrt1、Emi2可作为分子指标。以上结果可为后续建立评价化学品对两栖动物雌激素效应的短期试验方法提供参考。     

双酚B对斑马鱼性别分化的影响及作用机制

双酚A(bisphenol A,BPA)是一种典型的内分泌干扰物,双酚B(bisphenol B,BPA)作为其替代物,使用量逐渐增多.一些研究表明,BPB也具有内分泌干扰效应,但是其对鱼类性别分化的影响尚无报道.本文将斑马鱼胚胎暴露于不同浓度的BPB中至受精后60 d(days post fertilization,dpf),研究BPB对斑马鱼性别分化的影响及可能的分子机制.结果表明,10、100和1000μg·L-1的BPB暴露导致斑马鱼性别比例向雌鱼偏离,雄鱼的精巢中发育出初级卵母细胞,并导致斑马鱼体内17β-雌二醇(17β-estradiol,E2)水平升高,睾酮(testosterone,T)水平降低,表明BPB对斑马鱼具有雌激素效应.从基因水平探讨这2种物质导致斑马鱼雌性化的原因,发现BPB使卵巢分化相关基因foxl2的表达水平上升,精巢分化相关基因dmrt1、amh和sox9a表达水平降低,并进一步提高了芳香化酶基因cyp19a1a的转录水平,促进E2的合成,导致斑马鱼的性别分化过程发生异常.     

双酚AF对雄性斑马鱼卵黄蛋白原水平与芳香化酶基因表达的影响

双酚AF(4,4'-六氟-2-二酚,BPAF)对生物有机体具有内分泌干扰作用。为研究低剂量BPAF对水生生物的效应,本研究选择成年雄性斑马鱼为研究对象,考察了0.005、0.05和0.5 mg·L~(-1)3种浓度BAPF暴露30 d对血浆中卵黄蛋白原(VTG)含量、2种卵黄蛋白原基因(vtg~(-1)和vtg-3)表达和2种芳香酶基因(cyp 19a与cyp 19b)表达的影响。结果表明:在0.005 mg·L~(-1)浓度暴露30 d后,血浆中VTG含量显著升高,随着暴露浓度的升高,促进作用不显著;BPAF暴露对不同组织中的4种基因存在不同的影响,0.005 mg·L~(-1)BPAF暴露可诱导脑部cyp19b、肝脏中cyp19a和性腺中vtg~(-1)、vtg-3和cyp19b基因表达;0.5 mg·L~(-1)BPAF暴露可导致肝脏中vtg~(-1)、vtg-3、性腺中cyp19a等基因显著上调。实验结果表明,BPAF具有雌性激素样效应,可诱导雄性斑马鱼体内部分组织卵黄蛋白原基因和芳香酶基因的表达。BPAF可引起斑马鱼血浆中的VTG含量的上升,从而干扰由VTG所参与的下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴与免疫系统的正常生理过程。     

孕激素醋酸甲地孕酮和雌激素乙炔雌二醇复合暴露对斑马鱼的生殖毒性

水生生物往往暴露于多种环境激素(如孕激素、雌激素)的混合物中,然而关于多种环境激素对鱼类的联合作用效应的研究较少.孕激素醋酸甲地孕酮(MTA)和雌激素乙炔雌二醇(EE2)是应用广泛的高活性药物,普遍存在于水环境中,二者均能引起鱼类的生殖毒性效应.本文研究了环境相关浓度的MTA和EE2复合暴露对斑马鱼的生殖毒性效应.将斑马鱼成鱼暴露于MTA(33,100 ng·L~(-1))、EE2(5,15 ng·L~(-1))以及二者的混合物(MTA+EE2:33+5 ng·L~(-1),100+15 ng·L~(-1))21 d,结果显示,EE2(15 ng·L~(-1))单独及与MTA(100 ng·L~(-1))复合暴露显著降低斑马鱼的产卵量;MTA、EE2单独及复合暴露均显著降低雌鱼血浆中雌二醇(E2)、睾酮(T)及雄鱼血浆中11-酮基睾酮(11-KT)的含量;EE2单独及与MTA复合暴露导致斑马鱼卵巢的组织学变化(抑制卵子发生,诱导卵泡闭锁),但对精巢影响较小.此外,复合暴露组中斑马鱼的产卵量、血浆性激素含量、性腺组织学变化与EE2单独暴露组相比均无显著差异.本研究表明,MTA和EE2复合暴露可引起斑马鱼的生殖毒性,其中EE2发挥主要毒性作用.本研究结果对于水环境中多种激素复合暴露的风险评估具有重要意义.     

邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己)酯(DEHP)和邻苯二甲酸单乙基己基酯(MEHP)长期暴露对海洋青鳉(Oryzias melastigma)内分泌干扰效应的评价

为探讨邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己)酯(DEHP)和邻苯二甲酸单乙基己基酯(MEHP)长期暴露对海水生物的内分泌干扰效应及机制,将孵化后1周的海洋青鳉(Oryzias melastigma)分别暴露于DEHP(0.1 mg·L-1和0.5 mg·L-1)和MEHP(0.1 mg·L-1和0.5 mg·L-1)6个月。结果显示:DEHP显著增加了雌性和雄性海洋青鳉的肝指数,而MEHP只在高剂量时显著增加雄性青鳉的肝指数。对于雌性青鳉,DEHP暴露后肝脏雌激素相关基因ERα、ERβ、ERγ、VTG1、VTG2、ChgH和ChgL的表达水平显著上调,而对于雄性青鳉,DEHP暴露后,只有肝脏ERβ的表达水平显著上调。相比之下,MEHP暴露对雌性和雄性青鳉肝VTG和Chg基因表达无显著影响。DEHP激活了雌性和雄性青鳉的肝过氧化物增殖激活受体PPARα和PPARγ,而MEHP只在低剂量时上调了雄性青鳉PPARγ的表达。在雌性和雄性青鳉体内,VTG和Chg的表达与ERα和ERγ的表达显著相关,并且ER与PPAR也显著相关。研究表明,DEHP长期暴露可通过激活肝性激素受体调控肝雌激素响应基因(VTG和Chg)和过氧化物增殖激活受体(PPARα和PPARγ)的表达而对海洋青鳉产生内分泌干扰效应,并且显示出性别特异性。MEHP对海洋青鳉的内分泌干扰效应弱于DEHP。     

Benthic macrophyte communities in the Ghar El Melh lagoon (North Tunisia)

This work deals with the biodiversity and distribution of benthic macrophytes in the Ghar El Melh lagoon, a Mediterranean coastal lagoon located in the North of Tunisia. An inventory was made of the benthic flora and submerged macrophyte communities were mapped during two successive campaigns (the summer of 1999 and the winter of 2000). The following 24 macrophyte species were identified: seven red algae, two brown algae, 11 green algae, and four marine angiosperms. The results were compared with available data from the literature. Ruppia cirrhosa is the most dominant species. It is found in all lagoon parts, except in the west sector.Ruppia beds are usually associated withCladophora forming heterogeneous communities. During summerRuppia cirrhosa shows a large distribution, covering an area of ca. 21.4 km², with dense, extensive beds covering 80–100%. In winter, severalCladophora species have a very large distribution as well, covering nearly an area of 28.5 km² with an average cover of 46%. The green algaeCaulerpa prolifera is confined to the eastern part of the lagoon which is mainly affected by seawater. In comparison with previous situations, many transformations were observed in biodiversity and spatial distribution of the dominant communities. Thus,Cymodocea nodosa andZostera beds, which dominated in the 1970s, were replaced byZostera andCaulerpa prolifera in the 1980s and are currently succeeded byRuppia cirrhosa andCladophora. Restoration of the Ghar El Melh lagoon will enable an increase in the exchange with the open sea and the circulation of water, in particular in the confined zones. This should considerably improve the water quality and would positively influence the phytobenthic communities.     

Allocation of nitrogen and carbon in an estuarine salt marsh in Portugal

Above and below-ground biomass and nitrogen and carbon composition ofSpartina maritima, Halimione portulacoides andArthrocnemum perenne, dominating species in plant communities of the lower, middle and higher salt marsh, respectively, were compared in an estuarine salt marsh in Portugal. Plant and soil nitrogen and carbon pools were estimated. For all three species root biomass was significantly higher (70–92% of total biomass) than above-ground biomass. The percentage of root biomass was related to the location of the plants in the marsh: higher values were found in plants growing in the lower salt marsh where the sediment was more unstable and subject to tidal action, which stresses the role of the roots as an anchor. For all three species nitrogen concentrations were highest in leaves, reflecting the photosynthetic role of the tissue. For carbon higher concentrations were found in the stems, with the exception ofS. maritima. In general, lower nitrogen concentrations were found in summer, which can be explained by dilution processes due to plant growth. For both nitrogen and carbon, higher concentrations were found in the soil surface layers. Higher soil nitrogen and carbon levels were associated with higher organic matter contents. Most of the nitrogen in the salt marsh occurred in the sediments (0–40 cm) and only ca. 5.7–13.3% of the total was found in the plants. The greater portion (76.5%–86%) of carbon was found in the sediment.     

Eusociality has evolved independently in two genera of bathyergid mole-rats — but occurs in no other subterranean mammal

Summary Extensive field and laboratory studies show that Damaraland mole-rats, like naked mole-rats, have an extreme form of vertebrate sociality. Colonies usually contain 2 reproductives and up to 39 non-breeding siblings, 90% of whom live a socially-induced lifetime of sterility; they remain in the natal colony, forage for food, defend the colony and care for successive litters. Although there is heightened dispersal following good rainfall, the majority of adult non-reproductives remain in their natal colony and failure to disperse is not directly attributable to habitat saturation or unfavourable soil conditions. A major dispersal event follows the death of a reproductive. Differences in colony cohesion, ethology and the hormonal profiles of non-reproductive animals suggests that eusociality evolved along different pathways in these two phylogenetically divergent genera of the Bathyergidae.     

Parasite transmission in a migratory multiple host system

A transmission model was devised for trichostrongyloid nematodes of saiga antelopes and domestic sheep in Kazakhstan. The framework extends previous models by including seasonal migration of saigas, contact with separate populations of sheep, and climate-driven stochasticity in herbage biomass and in the development, survival and migration onto herbage of free-living larvae. The model was parameterised for the contrasting life histories of Marshallagia, Haemonchus and Nematodirus, three important parasites of saigas and sheep in the region, and was successful at predicting broad qualitative patterns of infection dynamics in sheep and saigas. Parasite transmission between saigas and sheep was predicted to be most important for Marshallagia (from sheep to saigas in the south in winter, and onward transmission to sheep in the north in summer) and Haemonchus (from sheep in the north in summer via saigas to sheep further south in autumn). Model predictions for winter transmission of Marshallagia infection in saigas were consistent with field data, which showed that saigas culled before they have grazed the winter range carry lower burdens of this parasite than older animals. The model provides a mechanistic explanation for its predictions, which will assist hypothesis formation, and further the epidemiological basis of efforts to control parasite transmission between wildlife and livestock in both directions. A similar modelling approach could prove useful in other situations where detailed mechanistic models of parasite transmission are inappropriate in the face of parameter uncertainty and spatio-temporal variation in climate and host density. This is likely to include the majority of wildlife-parasite systems.     

应用模式生物检测饮用水源颗粒物的毒性效应

悬浮颗粒物在自然水体中广泛存在,大量小颗粒物(粒径<1μm)可吸附、聚集水中多种污染物,从而形成新的复合污染,影响水生生态系统。已有研究表明,颗粒物粒径越小,传统饮用水处理工艺越难以去除,因此,其表面吸附的污染物也会随之残留在水体中,对饮用水安全产生影响。本研究对南京某自来水厂进水和出水中的颗粒物进行了测定和对比,并选用3种不同种类的模式生物包括发光菌(Photobacterium phosphoreum)、纤细裸藻(Euglena gracilis)和蚕豆(Vicia faba L.),对饮用水源水中不同粒径颗粒物的毒性效应进行了测试。结果表明,传统水处理工艺对小颗粒物(粒径<1μm)的去除效果并不理想;经传统水处理工艺处理后,出水仍显著抑制发光菌发光强度以及纤细裸藻生长,对蚕豆的污染指数较高,可能存在一定健康隐患;进水中颗粒物粒径<1μm组对发光菌发光强度和纤细裸藻生长的抑制效应显著大于粒径≥1μm颗粒物组,蚕豆根尖的污染指数也更高,毒性更强。本研究结果可为饮用水的生物毒性检测和水处理工艺改良提供参考。     

磺胺类耐药菌中抗性基因sul的表达规律

抗生素环境污染是影响抗生素抗性基因传播和扩散的主要因素,然而关于抗生素耐药菌在抗生素暴露下抗性基因的表达机制研究甚少。本研究利用RT-PCR方法检测了土壤中优势耐药菌菌株炭疽芽孢杆菌(Bacillus anthracis SYN201,G+)和弗氏志贺菌菌株(Shigella flexneri NJJN802,G-)在含有不同浓度磺胺类药物的培养基中生长不同时间后抗性基因(sul 1、sul 2、sul 3)的表达变化。结果发现:无论培养基中是否存在磺胺类药物,菌株SYN201和NJJN802中的3种磺胺类抗性基因均分别在培养的第72小时或36小时出现一个明显的表达峰,而在其他培养时间下不表达或表达量处于相对极低的水平;磺胺嘧啶的存在有助于提高菌株在此特征表达时间下抗性基因的表达水平,与未加磺胺嘧啶组相比,暴露于磺胺嘧啶(60μg·m L~(-1))组的sul 1、sul 2和sul 3在菌株SYN201中的相对表达量分别提高了2.5、4.8和3.2倍,而在菌株NJJN802中的相对表达量分别提高了3.7、6.0和5.0倍。通过将耐药菌暴露于不同磺胺嘧啶浓度下考察sul基因相对表达情况,研究发现随着培养基中磺胺嘧啶浓度的升高(0~1 024μg·m L~(-1)),菌株SYN201和NJJN802中sul基因的表达量整体上呈现出明显的上升趋势。本研究对揭示磺胺耐药菌的抗性表达规律及抗生素暴露对其抗性表达发挥的作用具有重要意义。     

Net energetic advantage drives honey bees (Apis mellifera L) to nectar larceny in Vaccinium ashei Reade

Carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) act as primary nectar thieves in rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade), piercing corollas laterally to imbibe nectar at basal nectaries. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L) learn to visit these perforations and thus become secondary nectar thieves. We tested the hypothesis that honey bees make this behavioral switch in response to an energetic advantage realized by nectar-robbing flower visits. Nectar volume and sugar quantity were higher in intact than perforated flowers, but bees (robbers) visiting perforated flowers were able to extract a higher percentage of available nectar and sugar so that absolute amount of sugar (mg) removed by one bee visit is the same for each flower type. However, because perforated flowers facilitate higher rates of bee flower visitation and the same or higher rates of nectar ingestion, they are rendered more profitable than intact flowers in temporal terms. Accordingly, net energy (J) gain per second flower handling time was higher for robbers on most days sampled. We conclude that the majority evidence indicates an energetic advantage for honey bees that engage in secondary nectar thievery in V. ashei.Communicated by R. Page     

Seasonal dynamics of macro-algae in the South Lake of Tunis

The macro-algae communities observed in the south lake of Tunis are characterized by the predominance of nitrophilous algae which are in the order of biomass importance:Ulva, Cladophora andEnteromorpha. We have noted seasonal changes of alga distribution. The wind appears to be one of the most important factors influencing this distribution. The total biomass reaches a maximum in the spring. Rapid decomposition of the biomass leads to a severe ecological imbalance, resulting in crises of anoxia and fish death. A restoration project has already started. It aims at removal of contaminated muds and the introduction of a new circulation system. The main objectives of this work were to collect information on the distribution and biomass of the phytobenthic communities as a first step in the constitution of a database for further comparison.     

Inter-specific variation in anti-predator behavior in sympatric species of kangaroo rat

Kangaroo rats, Dipodomys, occupy desert habitats with little cover and thus are under high predation risk from diverse predators. The behavior used to assess predation risk or to escape capture is unknown. We therefore compared anti-predator behavior of two sympatric species of kangaroo rat of different sizes, D. merriami and D. spectabilis. We first examined whether kangaroo rats use olfaction as a first line of defense against snake predation and tested the rats for their responses to scent extracted from two species of snake that live sympatrically with the kangaroo rats, the Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) and the gopher snake (Pitophis melanoleucus). We also tested for species differences in anti-predator behavior through 15-min interactions between the kangaroo rats and free-moving gopher snakes. We found that D. spectabilis actively approached the scent of both rattlesnakes and gopher snakes more than controls of vegetable oil and evaporated solvent (Fig. 1). In contrast, D. merriami did not differentiate snake odors from controls in the experimental arena, but they sniffed the sand where a free-moving snake had passed more than D. spectabilis. Both species successfully avoided predation in encounters with live snakes. Although total numbers of approaches and withdrawals were similar (Fig. 2), D. spectabilis spent significantly more time within striking distance of the snake than D. merriami. D. spectabilis approached the head of the snake in 93% of its approaches and often engaged in nose to snout contact with the snake. If the snake struck, D. spectabilis jumped directly backward to avoid a strike and footdrummed at a safe distance. In contrast, D. merriami oriented to the snake more than D. spectabilis, but approached the head in only 41% of the approaches and rarely engaged in nose-to-snout contact. The snakes struck, hissed and decreased predatory approaches with D. spectabilis but not with D. merriami (Fig. 3). These results show that kangaroo rats can behaviorally influence the risk of being preyed on by snakes. The two species differ, however, in how they react to snakes. The larger D. spectabilis confronts snakes while the smaller D. merriami monitors snakes from a safe distance and avoids them.     

Absolute configuration of the major sex pheromone component of the satin moth, Leucoma salicis, verified by field trapping test in Hungary

Summary. Male satin moths, Leucoma (Stilpnotia) salicis L. (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) were attracted only to (3Z,6R,7S,9R,10S)-isomer out of the four (3Z)-cis-6,7-cis-9,10-diepoxy-3-henicosenes (leucomalure). This was demonstrated by field trapping test with a bivoltine population in a mixed poplar-willow forest along the flood area of the river Danube at Adony, Hungary.