吡啶硫酮金属对华美盘管虫(Hydroides elegans)精子DNA的损伤效应

吡啶硫酮铜(Cu PT)和吡啶硫酮锌(Zn PT)在渗出型海洋防污涂料中的应用日益广泛,其生态毒性引起了人们的关注。本文以南海海域常见优势种——华美盘管虫(Hydroides elegans Haswell)为试验动物,采用彗星实验研究了吡啶硫酮金属对华美盘管虫精子细胞DNA的损伤情况。结果显示,低浓度(4μg·L~(-1)Cu PT或8μg·L~(-1)Zn PT)处理组的精子细胞,其"彗星"尾长、尾DNA含量及Olive尾矩都显著高于溶剂对照组(P0.05);较高浓度(8μg·L~(-1)或16μg·L~(-1)Cu PT,16μg·L~(-1)或32μg·L~(-1)Zn PT)处理组的精子细胞,其"彗星"尾长和尾矩多数显著高于溶剂对照组(P0.01)。此外,尾长和Olive尾矩在试验浓度范围内都呈现"效应-浓度"正相关。Cu PT为4μg·L~(-1)、Zn PT为8μg·L~(-1)时,对精子DNA造成轻度损伤;Cu PT为8μg·L~(-1)、16μg·L~(-1),Zn PT为16μg·L~(-1)、32μg·L~(-1)时,则达到了中度损伤的程度。可见吡啶硫酮金属具有较明显的海洋生态遗传毒性;另一方面,华美盘管虫精子细胞DNA对吡啶硫酮金属的胁迫呈现出较高的敏感性和效应-浓度相关性,在作为生态遗传毒性的生物指标方面具有潜在优势,进一步的研究将促进其在海洋重金属污染评价中的应用,特别是用于南海海洋环境的早期预警监测。     

纳米氧化镍颗粒对长牡蛎(Crassostreagigas)抗氧化防御体系的影响

纳米氧化镍(nNiO)作为一种广泛使用的纳米颗粒,其水生毒理效应研究还很有限。为探索n Ni O对海洋贝类的毒性机制,本研究将长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)置于不同浓度(0、1、10、100 mg·L~(-1))的n Ni O中暴露96 h,分别测定鳃和消化腺组织的丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)以及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,并通过实时荧光定量PCR技术测定了鳃和消化腺中应激蛋白HSP70和AOX基因的表达变化。结果显示:在100 mg·L~(-1)n Ni O处理下,2种组织中MDA含量均显著性升高(P0.01),显示纳米颗粒造成了长牡蛎的脂质过氧化,并可能引起相应的氧化损伤。同时,n Ni O暴露也诱导了长牡蛎抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT和POD)活性的改变。其中,SOD和CAT活性在10 mg·L~(-1)浓度处理组达到最高,而POD活性在1 mg·L~(-1)浓度组即达最高值。在高浓度n Ni O(100 mg·L~(-1))胁迫下,3种抗氧化酶的活性均比低浓度(1和10 mg·L~(-1))处理组降低,表明抗氧化酶的保护作用在较低浓度暴露下更有效;而热激蛋白(hsp70)和交替氧化酶(aox)基因却分别在长牡蛎消化腺和鳃组织中上调表达(P0.01),并表现出一定的组织差异。说明高浓度纳米颗粒暴露中主要是应激蛋白发挥了作用。本文结果为纳米氧化镍对海洋双壳贝类的毒性机制研究及生态风险评估提供了基础数据。     

四溴双酚A对太平洋真宽水蚤的急性毒性及氧化胁迫

为了研究四溴双酚A(tetrabromobis-phenol A,TBBPA)对海洋桡足类的急性毒性和氧化胁迫效应,以太平洋真宽水蚤为受试生物,测定了TBBPA对其96 h急性毒性和对其体内抗氧化防御系统的影响。结果表明,TBBPA对太平洋真宽水蚤的96 h半数致死浓度(96 h-LC50)为178μg·L~(-1),95%可信区间为91~306μg·L~(-1),表现为极毒。亚致死浓度下,TBBPA能够不同程度影响太平洋真宽水蚤的抗氧化防御酶活力以及非酶物质含量。其中SOD和GST活性的变化趋势较为一致,暴露初期SOD和GST活性显著上升(P0.05),随暴露时间延长酶活性有所下降,最终趋向对照组水平;GPx活性水平始终维持在对照组以上并且差异显著(P0.05);暴露初期,GSH含量受轻微氧化压力而轻微升高,暴露48 h后GSH含量急剧下降并显著低于对照组(P0.05)。太平洋真宽水蚤体内SOD、GST、GPx活性和GSH含量对TBBPA暴露均十分敏感,能够为海洋环境的TBBPA监测提供生化指标参考。     

石河子市PM2.5中重金属污染及健康风险评价

采集石河子市供暖时期的PM_(2.5)样品,使用ICP-MS对PM_(2.5)中5种重金属元素(Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb、Fe)进行检测,并对重金属元素进行健康风险评价.选取重金属元素中的Zn进行动物实验,以观察PM_(2.5)及其Zn元素对大鼠肺部的影响.将不同浓度的PM_(2.5)(0.5、3.0、15.0 mg·kg~(-1)体重)和Zn(0.06、0.3、1.5 mg·kg~(-1)体重)通过气管滴注的方式暴露于大鼠来探究PM_(2.5)中的Zn元素对大鼠肺部的损伤.处死大鼠后获取大鼠的支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)和肺组织,使用ELISA、比色法和HE染色来检测大鼠BALF中促炎因子白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、肺组织中氧化应激指标超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)以及观察大鼠肺组织的病理变化.结果表明供暖期间石河子市PM_(2.5)浓度为109.85±58.76μg·m~(-3),PM_(2.5)中重金属的浓度为Fe (27.766μg·m~(-3)) Zn (3.484μg·m~(-3)) Pb (1.444μg·m~(-3)) Cu (0.628μg·m~(-3)) Ni (0.094μg·m~(-3)).Ni存在一定的致癌风险,Cu,Zn,Pb不存在非致癌风险.PM_(2.5)以及Zn浓度的升高能够显著抑制SOD活性并增加MDA、IL-6、TNF-α水平,但是在同等Zn元素含量的情况下(PM_(2.5)高剂量组和Zn中剂量组),PM_(2.5)对大鼠的损伤更为严重.因此,PM_(2.5)及其Zn元素可以引起大鼠肺部的损伤,在这一过程中Zn元素发挥重要作用.     

外源褪黑素对As~(3+)胁迫下水稻种子萌发的影响

本文研究了添加外源褪黑素对As~(3+)胁迫下水稻种子萌发及生理指标的影响。结果表明:添加外源褪黑素能促进As~(3+)胁迫下水稻种子的萌发,提高水稻的发芽势和发芽率,促进水稻幼苗的生长。当As~(3+)浓度为100μmol·L~(-1)时,添加100μmol·L~(-1)褪黑素能使水稻种子发芽率和总根长比对照分别提高57.1%和50.0%。添加褪黑素能显著提高As~(3+)胁迫下水稻幼苗中抗氧化酶系统过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性,并降低水稻幼芽中丙二醛(MDA)的含量。当As~(3+)浓度为100μmol·L~(-1)时,添加50μmol·L~(-1)和100μmol·L~(-1)褪黑素导致水稻幼芽中POD活性比对照处理分别提高57.5%和114.8%,CAT活性提高29.4%和53.8%,SOD活性提高31.5%和56.0%,丙二醛含量比对照处理降低16.5%和31.9%。添加褪黑素也能显著提高As~(3+)胁迫下水稻的根系活力,当As~(3+)浓度为100μmol·L~(-1)时,50、100μmol·L~(-1)褪黑素处理后根系活力比对照分别提高42.4%和124.1%。这说明添加外源褪黑素可缓解As~(3+)胁迫对水稻的脂质过氧化损害,有效降低As对水稻内膜的破坏,显著缓解As污染对水稻的毒害作用。     

抗坏血酸对铜胁迫下广藿香幼苗生长、铜积累和抗氧化酶活性的影响

通过室内水培试验,研究了外源添加抗坏血酸(Ascorbic acid,As A)对铜(Copper,Cu)胁迫下广藿香(Pogostemon cablin(Blanco)Benth.)幼苗生长、Cu~(2+)积累和抗氧化酶活性的影响.结果显示,与对照相比,10—80μmol·L-1Cu~(2+)降低了广藿香幼苗的苗长、根长、植株生物量和根系耐性指数,且随Cu~(2+)浓度增大抑制作用增强.与Cu~(2+)胁迫相比,外源添加0.10—0.50 mmol·L~(-1)As A提高了广藿香幼苗的苗长、根长、植株生物量、根系耐性指数、根系活力以及SOD、POD、CAT和APX酶活性,降低其根系相对电导率、MDA含量和Cu~(2+)含量;随As A浓度的增加,苗长、根长、植株生物量、根系耐性指数、根系活力以及POD和CAT活性先升高后下降,相对电导率、MDA含量和Cu~(2+)含量先下降后上升,SOD和APX活性则一直增加.结果显示,外源添加0.25 mmol·L~(-1)的As A能提高广藿香幼苗细胞清除活性氧的能力,一定程度上缓解40μmol·L~(-1)Cu~(2+)胁迫对膜系统的伤害,减轻Cu~(2+)胁迫对广藿香幼苗生长的毒害作用.     

镉胁迫对水稻生长发育的影响及伤流液与稻米镉含量的相关性研究

立足于我国水稻受镉污染的实际情况,研究镉胁迫对水稻生长发育的影响,并探讨伤流液镉含量与稻米镉含量之间的关系,为镉污染地区稻米安全生产提供数据支持和科学指导。采用营养液培育试验方法,选择中嘉早17和泰优390两个水稻品种,设置CK(0μg·L~(-1))、Cd10(10μg·L~(-1))、Cd50(50μg·L~(-1))、Cd200(200μg·L~(-1))、Cd500(500μg·L~(-1))和Cd1000(1 000μg·L~(-1)) 6个Cd浓度处理,分析不同浓度镉胁迫对水稻生长发育的影响以及各部位镉含量与糙米镉含量的相关性。结果表明,与CK相比,ρ(Cd)≤10μg·L~(-1)处理对水稻生长有促进作用,但未达显著水平(P0. 05),当ρ(Cd)10μg·L~(-1)时有抑制作用,Cd浓度越高,抑制作用越明显。水稻各部位镉含量随着镉胁迫浓度的增大而增大,伤流液中镉含量增加幅度与各部位变化趋于一致。伤流液镉含量与糙米镉含量之间存在极显著正相关(P0. 01),且在分蘖期伤流液镉含量能较好地用于预测水稻镉毒害程度。     

高Cu、高Zn对白星花金龟幼虫的毒性作用

Cu(铜)和Zn(锌)是环境中最常见的重金属污染元素,为探究其对白星花金龟幼虫的毒性,采用滤纸接触法、人工土壤法和菌渣培养法研究了高Cu、高Zn对白星花金龟幼虫的生长及氧化胁迫效应。结果表明,滤纸接触法和人工土壤法中试验浓度Cu、Zn对白星花金龟幼虫死亡率无明显影响。菌渣培养法中虫体的取食抑制率和体重增长抑制率均与Cu、Zn浓度呈显著性正相关关系;Cu处理诱导了虫体可溶性蛋白含量的增加,抑制了SOD(超氧化物歧化酶)、GST(谷胱甘肽转移酶)的活性和MDA(丙二醛)的产生,对CAT(过氧化物酶)活性没有显著影响;Zn浓度为3 500和5 000 mg·kg-1的处理组可溶性蛋白含量被显著诱导、MDA含量被显著抑制,浓度为2 000和6 500 mg·kg-1处理组的SOD活性被激活(P0.05),Zn胁迫未对CAT、GST活性造成明显影响。表明Cu、Zn污染对白星花金龟幼虫生长具有毒性效应,在评价高浓度的重金属污染对虫体的毒性作用时,不能仅采用SOD、CAT、GST等指标作为标志物,需要综合其他指标进行分析。     

铅和得克隆联合暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的神经毒性作用

以斑马鱼(Danio rerio)为研究对象,探讨铅(Pb)、得克隆(DP)及二者联合急性暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的神经毒性作用。结果表明,Pb(5、20μg·L~(-1))和DP(15、60μg·L~(-1))单独暴露均会引起斑马鱼自主运动频率增加,触摸反应能力和自由游泳活力下降,并且抑制初级运动神经元的生长,加剧尾部细胞凋亡。但与20μg·L~(-1)Pb单独暴露相比,高剂量联合暴露(20μg·L~(-1)Pb+60μg·L~(-1)DP)使斑马鱼的自主运动频率显著降低(P0.05),触摸反应能力和自由游泳活力显著增强(P0.05),初级运动神经元轴突长度显著增加(P0.05),尾部细胞凋亡减少。与5μg·L~(-1)Pb单独暴露相比,低剂量联合暴露(5μg·L~(-1)Pb+15μg·L~(-1)DP)也显著减少斑马鱼尾部的细胞凋亡(P0.05)。上述结果表明,Pb或DP单独暴露对斑马鱼均可引起神经毒性作用;但二者联合暴露对斑马鱼自主运动、触摸反应以及自由游泳活力的影响则表现为拮抗作用。     

六溴环十二烷暴露对红鳍笛鲷脑乙酰胆碱酯酶和组织氧化应激的影响及评价

六溴环十二烷(C_(12)H_(18)Br_6,简称HBCD)是近年来在环境中广受关注的优先污染物和高产量化学品。实验室条件下以红鳍笛鲷为研究对象,选取其脑组织非特异性生物标志物超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)、谷胱甘肽巯基转移酶(glutathione S-transferases,GST)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)及特异性生物标志物乙酰胆碱酯酶(acetylcholinesterase,ACh E)为指标研究了不同浓度HBCD溶液(8.6μg·L~(-1)、43.0μg·L~(-1)和215μg·L~(-1))暴露96 h对红鳍笛鲷脑组织的氧化损伤和神经毒性效应,同时结合综合生物标志物响应指数(integrated biomarker responses index,IBR),对HBCD造成的胁迫水平和毒性效应进行评价。结果表明:HBCD对红鳍笛鲷脑组织中SOD活性和GST活性表现出不同程度的诱导效应,其中暴露初期SOD活性与HBCD浓度呈正相关,但随暴露时间延长与HBCD浓度呈负相关;HBCD对MDA含量和ACh E活性表现出诱导或抑制且存在剂量依赖性,低浓度组MDA含量表现为先抑制后诱导的过程,ACh E活性表现为先诱导后抑制;中浓度组MDA含量和ACh E均表现为抑制效应;高浓度组MDA含量表现为先诱导后抑制的过程,ACh E活性表现为先抑制后诱导。IBR分析结果表明4种生物标志物对HBCD胁迫的敏感性分别为SODGSTACh EMDA,且中、高浓度组的胁迫效应最明显。     

Antennal responses of four species of tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to volatiles collected from beetles,and their host and nonhost conifers

Summary. Host selection in tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) is mediated by a complex of semiochemical cues. Using gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometric analyses, we conducted a comparative study of the electrophysiological responses of four species of tree-killing bark beetles, the Douglas-fir beetle, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae, Hopkins, the mountain pine beetle, D. ponderosae Hopkins, the spruce beetle, D. rufipennis Kirby, and the western balsam bark beetle, Dryocoetes confusus Swaine, to volatiles captured by aeration of 1) bole and foliage of four sympatric species of conifers, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm., interior spruce, Picea engelmannii x glauca, and interior fir, Abies lasiocarpa x bifolia, and 2) con- and heterospecific beetles at three stages of attack. We identified 13 monoterpenes in the conifers and nine compounds in the volatiles of beetles that elicited antennal responses. There was no qualitative difference in the terpene constitution of the four species of conifers and very little difference across beetle species in their antennal response to compounds from conifers or beetles. The lack of species-specific major or minor components in conifers suggests that beetles would need to detect differences in the ratios of different compounds in conifers to discriminate among them. Attraction to hosts and avoidance of nonhost conifers may be accentuated by perception of compounds emitted by con- and heterospecific beetles, respectively. The 22 compounds identified are candidate semiochemicals with potential behavioural roles in host location and discrimination.     

Diet-induced chemical phytomimesis by twig-like caterpillars of Biston robustum Butler (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Summary. Polyphagous caterpillars of the giant geometer Biston robustum resemble the twigs of their respective food sources in color and shape. Common predatory ants, including Lasius and Formica, were often observed to freely prowl directly on caterpillars bodies, even after antennal contact. This suggests that the cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars resemble those of the twigs of the foodplants, so we analyzed both by GC and GC-MS. The chemical compositions differed among caterpillars fed on a cherry, Prunus yedoensis, a chinquapin Castanopsis cuspidata, and a camellia Camellia japonica. The cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars resembled those of their corresponding food sources. When the caterpillar diets were switched from the cherry to camellia or chinquapin at the 4^th instars, the caterpillars cuticular chemicals changed after molting to resemble those of their respective foods. Caterpillars also changed their cuticular chemicals when they perched on cherry twigs and fed on camellia or chinquapin leaves, but not when they perched on camellia or chinquapin twigs and fed on cherry leaves. The chemical similarities between the caterpillars and the twigs were due to the digestion of host leaves, which indicates that this is a diet-induced adaptation.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Increase of multi-metal tolerance of three leguminous plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus mosseae on the growth and metal uptake of three leguminous plants (Sesbania rostrata, Sesbania cannabina, Medicago sativa) grown in multi-metal contaminated soil. AMF colonization increased the growth of the legumes, indicating that AMF colonization increased the plant’s resistance to heavy metals. It also significantly stimulated the formation of root nodules and increased the N and P uptake of all of the tested leguminous plants, which might be one of the tolerance mechanisms conferred by AMF. Compared with the control, colonization by G. mosseae decreased the concentration of metals, such as Cu, in the shoots of the three legumes, indicating that the decreased heavy metals uptake and growth dilution were induced by AMF treatment, thereby reducing the heavy metal toxicity to the plants. The root/shoot ratios of Cu in the three legumes and Zn in M. sativa were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with AMF colonization, indicating that heavy metals were immobilized by the mycorrhiza and the heavy metal translocations to the shoot were decreased.     

Main nutrient compounds in food bodies of Mexican <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia</Emphasis> ant-plants

Summary. Myrmecophytic plants use obligate ant mutualists as a constitutive indirect defence mechanism. These plants often produce cellular food bodies (FBs) to nourish their resident ants. Lipids, proteins, and even highly specialised compounds such as glycogen have been reported from FBs, but detailed chemical analyses of FB composition have so far been presented only for Southeast Asian Macaranga and Central American Piper myrmecophytes. Here we report the chemical composition of FBs of five myrmecophytic Acacia (Fabaceae) species from Mexico using HPLC (carbohydrates and proteins) and GC-MS (lipids). Feeding experiments revealed no hints on any use of external food sources by the inhabiting Pseudomyrmex ants. These ants obviously rely completely on FBs and extrafloral nectar provided by their hosts. The total content of nutrients in Acacia FBs was 15-25% of FB dry mass, being much lower than in Macaranga or Piper FBs. Proteins were dominating (8-14 % dm) in Acacia FBs and thus were present in higher amounts than in Macaranga FBs, yet in lower amounts than in Piper. Lipids contributed 1-9 % of dry mass, showing a lower proportion than in FBs of Macaranga or Piper. Carbohydrates made up 3-11 % dm, reaching in most Acacia species the same range as observed in Macaranga and in Piper FBs. Water content was 18-24 % of FB fresh mass, and structural tissue obviously made up a much higher proportion in Acacia FBs than in Macaranga or Piper FBs. Both characters might represent an adaptation to producing FBs unprotected at the leaf tips under dry conditions. Acacia FBs contain all amino acids and all fatty acids that are considered essential for insects, and their contents of lipids and proteins are higher than in the leaves from which they are ontogenetically derived. This indicates a putatively adaptive enrichment of nutritionally valuable compounds in structures functioning as ant-food.     

Toxicity assays of ladybirds using natural predators

Nestling blue titsParus caeruleus L. were given diets containing homogenized ladybirds, to assess the effects of their chemical defences. The 2spot, 10spot and water ladybirds produced no apparent toxic effects when small numbers were given at regular intervals.The pine and kidney-spot ladybirds slightly inhibit growth and may be toxic to very young nestlings. The Water ladybird is extremely distasteful to this predator, despite its lack of toxicity. The results are discussed with reference to the proposed Müllerian and Batesian mimetic relationships between the ladybird species.     

Testing a new model of aphid abundance with sedentary and non-sedentary predators

Aphid population dynamics has been thoroughly investigated, especially in tree-dwelling aphids. Among the controls of the aphid rate of increase are the negative effects of antagonists, the positive effects of mutualists, the density-dependence of the aphid dynamics, and the non-stationary quality of plant tissues. Here we present a mechanistic model of aphid growth that considers most of these governing factors using a simple formulation. What is new in this model is that it considers two kinds of antagonists. The first kind is a guild of aphid predator specialists that includes ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), but also species of some families of Hemiptera, Diptera, and Neuroptera. The second kind of antagonists consists of omnivores or generalist predators and in this particular setting is exemplified by the European earwig Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae). The model developed here compared the effects of these two different kinds of aphid predators, the second one always at the site (sedentary predators) and the first one that arrives in important numbers only once the aphid population has already developed to some degree (non-sedentary predators). Multiple model parameter sets, representing different hypotheses about controls on aphid populations, were evaluated within the Generalised Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) methodology. The model correctly reproduced the experimental data obtained in an organic citrus grove showing the important effect that sedentary predators as earwigs can have on the aphid populations. Low densities of sedentary predators or even low predation rates can have a disproportionate effect on the final aphid density, as they prey on small populations, when the per capita effect on the aphid population is higher. During the main spring peak of aphids the role of non-sedentary predators is secondary, as they track the aphid density rather than control it. However, these non-sedentary predators are important within the proposed model to keep the second autumn peak of aphids at low values.     

加拿大一枝黄花和小飞蓬叶浸提液对大豆幼苗生长的复合化感效应

加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago canadensis)和小飞蓬(Conyza canadensis)常共同入侵至同一农田生态系统。探究了两者对大豆幼苗生长的复合化感作用。加拿大一枝黄花叶浸提液显著抑制大豆幼苗地上生物量。而小飞蓬叶浸提液也明显抑制大豆幼苗地上生物量(未达到显著水平)。与对照处理相比,两者复合叶浸提液处理未显著影响大豆幼苗地上生物量。两者复合叶浸提液处理下大豆幼苗地上生物量显著大于加拿大一枝黄花叶浸提液单一处理,同时也大于小飞蓬叶浸提液单一处理(未达到显著水平)。两者叶浸提液单一处理均明显降低大豆幼苗株高(未达到显著水平)。与对照处理相比,两者复合叶浸提液处理未显著影响大豆幼苗株高。两者复合叶浸提液处理下大豆幼苗株高明显大于两者叶浸提液单一处理(未达到显著水平)。因此,两者叶浸提液对大豆幼苗的生长均具有一定程度的抑制效应,且加拿大一枝黄花叶浸提液对大豆幼苗产生的化感作用(尤其是地上生物量)明显大于小飞蓬。两者复合化感作用明显低于两者单一化感作用,尤其是两者对大豆幼苗地上生物量的复合化感作用显著低于加拿大一枝黄花的单一化感作用。所以,化感效应可能在两者共同入侵(即两者复合作用)进程中所起的贡献低于在两者单一入侵进程中所起的作用。