模拟酸雨及Al3+共同作用对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传损伤

以蚕豆为材料,研究了模拟酸雨及酸雨与铝共同作用的细胞遗传学效应.结果表明,根尖细胞有丝分裂指数随Al3 浓度的升高和环境酸度的增强而下降;处理组细胞中出现了多种染色体异常,如染色体粘连、滞后及断裂等.模拟酸雨及其与低浓度Al3 (3mg/L)共同作用时可诱发蚕豆根尖细胞微核,其中pH4.5组微核率高于pH3.5组.模拟酸雨与高浓度的Al3 (10～180mg/L)复合处理可引起根尖细胞固缩,固缩率随Al3 浓度增加和pH降低而增高.研究结果表明,pH4.5和pH3.5的模拟酸雨和Al3 对蚕豆根尖细胞具有遗传损伤作用,其效应与Al3 浓度和环境酸度有关.     

模拟酸雨及A1^3＋共同作用对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传损伤

以蚕豆为材料，研究了模拟酸雨及酸雨与铝共同作用的细胞遗传学效应．结果表明，根尖细胞有丝分裂指数随Al^3＋浓度的升高和环境酸度的增强而下降；处理组细胞中出现了多种染色体异常，如染色体粘连、滞后及断裂等．模拟酸雨及其与低浓度Al^3＋（3mg／L）共同作用时可诱发蚕豆根尖细胞微核，其中pH4．5组微核率高于pH3．5组．模拟酸雨与高浓度的Al^3＋（10～180mg／L）复合处理可引起根尖细胞固缩，固缩率随Al^3＋浓度增加和pH降低而增高．研究结果表明，pH4．5和pH3．5的模拟酸雨和Al^3＋对蚕豆根尖细胞具有遗传损伤作用，其效应与Al^3＋浓度和环境酸度有关．     

农药氰戊菊酯和三氟氯氰菊酯对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传损伤

采用蚕豆根尖微核技术研究了农药氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传损伤.测定了不同浓度氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯(5×10-10～5×10-2g·L-1)诱导下的蚕豆根尖细胞微核率、有丝分裂指数和染色体畸变率.结果表明,氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯均能诱发较高的微核率,在一定浓度范围内,微核率随两种农药处理浓度的升高而增加,但随着处理浓度的进一步升高微核率反而呈下降趋势;两种农药均可使蚕豆根尖细胞有丝分裂指数增大;并能诱导蚕豆根尖细胞产生较高频率、多种类型的染色体畸变.氰戊菊酯和三氟氯氰菊酯对蚕豆根尖细胞具有明显的遗传毒性.     

蚕豆根尖微核试验在辣子草化感作用研究中的应用

运用蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)根尖细胞微核试验,研究入侵植物辣子草(Galinsoga parviflora Cav.)水浸提液的化感效应,结果表明,辣子草水浸提液具有一定的遗传毒性.在辣子草水浸提液作用下,蚕豆根尖细胞有丝分裂各时相受到影响,有丝分裂指数下降,微核率升高,细胞中出现了微核、染色体断片、染色体桥、染色体滞留等多种染色体畸变,辣子草水浸提液对蚕豆根尖的影响存在显著的时间效应和浓度效应.蚕豆根尖微核技术能较好的反映辣子草化感作用潜力,在评估入侵植物的化感作用方面具有较大的应用价值.     

亚硒酸盐对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传损伤效应

采用蚕豆根尖微核实验和姊妹染色单体交换实验，研究亚硒酸盐的遗传损伤效应．结果表明：0．1～50．0μg／g的亚硒酸氢钠(NaHSeO3)处理12h可诱发蚕豆根尖细胞遗传损伤，导致根尖细胞有丝分裂指数下降，间期具有微核的细胞数显著增多，姐妹染色单体交换(SCE)频率明显增高；且根尖微核细胞率与处理浓度间具有正相关，分裂指数与处理浓度间呈负线性相关，分裂指数与微核率之间表现负相关．研究结果提示：硒能破坏生物的遗传稳定性，职业接触或饮食补硒时应避免其毒害作用．图1表4参17     

农药乙蒜素和细菌溴腈对蚕豆根尖细胞的致畸效应

利用蚕豆根尖微核技术研究农药乙蒜素和细菌溴腈对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传损伤,测定蚕豆根尖细胞的微核率、有丝分裂指数和染色体畸变率.结果表明:2种农药均能诱发较高频率的微核率、有丝分裂指数和染色体畸变率.在乙蒜素质量浓度为0.032～0.160 g·L-1范围内,微核率随浓度升高而升高,呈一定的剂量-效应关系(r=0.881 9,P≤0.01);而在细菌溴腈质量浓度为0.625～2.5 g·L-1范围内,微核率则呈先上升后下降的趋势.     

链格孢菌毒素细交链孢菌酮酸对蚕豆根尖细胞微核和有丝分裂的影响

利用蚕豆根尖为材料,研究了链格孢菌毒素细交链孢菌酮酸对细胞微核和有丝分裂的影响,以评价其细胞遗传毒性.结果表明,当浓度为12.5～50μg/mL时,细交链孢菌酮酸对蚕豆根尖细胞微核率和有丝分裂指数不产生显著影响,微核率低于3‰,有丝分裂指数超过9.5%.浓度升高到100～400μg/mL时,细交链孢菌酮酸使蚕豆根尖细胞微核率显著升高,有丝分裂指数显著下降,其中,400μg/mL时,微核率高达36.01‰,有丝分裂指数仅为1.90%.当细交链孢菌酮酸浓度为12.5～100μg/mL时,与对照相比,蚕豆根尖细胞多核仁率无显著差异,多核仁率低于3‰;浓度升高到200～400μg/mL时,细胞多核仁率显著升高,400μg/mL时,多核仁率高达26.10‰.     

三叶鬼针草对蚕豆根尖遗传毒性的研究

化感作用是外来植物成功入侵和快速扩散的机制之一,为了探讨入侵植物三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa L.)的化感作用机制,运用蚕豆根尖微核技术和植物切片技术,研究了不同质量浓度的三叶鬼针草水浸提液对蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)根尖细胞的遗传损伤和对根生长的影响。结果表明,三叶鬼针草水浸提液对蚕豆根尖细胞有丝分裂及生长产生不同程度的抑制和损伤,具有明显的遗传毒性。水浸提液对蚕豆根尖的影响存在显著的时间效应和质量浓度效应。经切片测量统计,水浸提液促进了成熟区细胞平周分裂,使根尖细胞层数增加;同时显著地抑制了细胞伸长,使根尖缩短,整体表现为使根尖加粗变短。三叶鬼针草水浸提液抑制了细胞有丝分裂的正常进行,并随着水浸提液质量分数的升高,分裂期细胞数目下降,微核率逐渐升高。本研究结果表明三叶鬼针草水溶性化感物质对植物的遗传稳定性及细胞形态结构具有一定的影响,三叶鬼针草的化感作用可能是其成功入侵的机制之一。     

镉对小麦根尖细胞的遗传损伤效应

为了研究重金属镉对小麦是否产生细胞毒性和遗传毒性效应,采用不同浓度镉对小麦根尖处理24、48、72 h,统计有丝分裂指数、微核率及染色体畸变率.结果表明,1 μmol·L-1镉可提高小麦根尖细胞有丝分裂指数,但随镉处理浓度的提高和处理时间的延长,有丝分裂指数逐步下降;4个时期相比,镉对有丝分裂前期和中期的影响较小.微核率随着镉处理浓度的提高而增加,但浓度过高时,微核率随着镉处理时间的延长反而有所降低.此外,染色体畸变率也逐步上升,且随镉浓度的增加和处理时间的延长,其作用效果急剧加大,呈现明显的剂量-效应、时间-效应关系.说明镉可引起小麦根尖细胞有丝分裂抑制和染色体损伤,具有明显的遗传毒性.     

常乐稀土复合肥对玉米（Zea may L.）的细胞毒性和遗传毒性效应

为了研究常乐稀土多元复合肥对主要农作物--玉米(Zea mays L.)是否产生细胞毒性和遗传毒性效应,采用不同梯度质量浓度的稀土复合肥溶液对玉米进行处理,观察其根尖生长状况,统计分析细胞死亡率、微核率、有丝分裂指数以及对细胞DNA的损伤情况.结果表明,质量浓度为10mg·L-1以下时,常乐稀土复合肥能够促进玉米根尖的生长,100mg·L-1以上时抑制根尖生长;随着试验浓度的递增,细胞死亡率、微核率、DNA损伤率逐渐上升并具有正相关性,表现出明显的剂量-效应关系,而有丝分裂指数却随着浓度的增加逐渐下降.以上结果表明,常乐稀土复合肥对玉米确有一定的细胞毒性和遗传毒性效应,其细胞毒性阈值和遗传毒性阈值皆为100mg·L-1.     

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.