海洋苯酚降解菌Candida sp.P5的分离鉴定及其降解特性

从海洋沉积物中分离、筛选到一株能以苯酚作为唯一碳源和能源的酵母菌P5．根据菌落特征、菌体形态、生理生化特性和18SrDNA序列分析，确定菌株P5为假丝酵母菌属（Candicla　sp．）．该菌株最适宜生长和降解苯酚的条件为：温度25℃，pH6．0～7．0，摇床转速100r／min，需氧；菌株P5能在较高浓度的苯酚条件下生长，在72h内可以降解95％以上的苯酚．对苯酚代谢途径和相关酶的研究发现，菌株P5主要在邻苯二酚1，2-双加氧酶作用下通过邻位途径进行苯酚代谢．图7表2参24     

苯酚降解酵母Pd6的分离及对酚类化合物的降解

从炼油厂污染的污水和土壤中,筛选分离出一株具有很高苯酚降解能力的酵母菌Pd6.通过生理生化方法并结合26S rRNA序列比对,将其初步鉴定为麦芽糖假丝酵母(Candida maltosa).该酵母菌能以苯酚为唯一碳源和能源,对苯酚的最大降解浓度为1500mg/L,添加有机碳和有机氮可显著提高其对苯酚的降解率.在外加碳源的条件下,菌株Pd6还具有降解其它9种取代酚的能力.此外,关于苯酚和氯酚共代谢的研究表明,酵母菌Pd6可以利用苯酚为唯一碳源降解对氯酚和间氯酚.表明该菌在苯酚及其衍生物的生物降解和水污染治理方面可起到重要作用.     

一株高浓度苯胺、苯酚降解菌的分离鉴定及降解特性

从某生活污水厂活性污泥中分离到一株能够以苯胺或苯酚为唯一碳源、能源生长的高效降解菌菌株ANP.经形态特征、生理生化及16S rDNA序列分析,将该菌株鉴定为Delftia sp.进一步研究表明,该菌株利用苯胺生长的最适温度和pH分别为30℃和6.0,最适降解浓度为2000mgL-1;利用苯酚生长的最适温度和pH分别为35℃和8.0,最适降解浓度为1500mgL-1.苯胺、苯酚混合培养时该菌株对苯酚的降解过程要滞后于对苯胺的降解过程,但经过42h均能彻底降解.研究了ANP降解苯胺和苯酚的开环途径,苯胺芳环通过间位途径裂解,苯酚芳环则是通过邻位途径裂解.图4表1参18     

耐盐苯酚降解菌Staphylococcus sp.的分离及降解特性

从巴丹吉林沙漠盐湖表层沉积物中筛选到一株高效耐盐苯酚降解菌CL.测定了菌株CL的生理生化指标、16S rRNA基因序列,通过动力学模型探究了该菌株的生长和苯酚降解特性,同时考察了固定化对其耐受及降解苯酚能力的影响.结果表明,菌株CL属于葡萄球菌属(Staphylococcus sp.),在温度30℃、pH 7.0—8.0、盐度0—10%和苯酚浓度100—200 mg·L~(-1)条件下,该菌株能高效降解苯酚,其降解率均在85%以上.菌株CL对不同浓度苯酚的降解符合Haldane模型,其最大比降解速率和抑制常数分别为0.32 h~(-1)和351.70 mg·L~(-1),同时该菌株在不同盐度下对苯酚的降解符合Ghose and Tyagi模型.固定化可以明显增加菌株CL对苯酚的降解和耐受能力.菌株CL在高盐环境下能够高效降解苯酚,具有生物处理高盐含酚废水的潜力.     

乙羧氟草醚降解菌Reudomonas sp.YF1的分离、鉴定与降解特性

从生产乙羧氟草醚工厂的污水处理池污泥中分离到一株乙羧氟草醚降解细菌,命名为YF1.根据表型特征、生理生化特性和16S rDNA序列系统发育分析,将其鉴定为假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas sp.).接种量为5%时,菌株YF1在含200 mg/L乙羧氟草醚的基础盐液体培养基中降解乙羧氟草醚,7 d后降解率约80%.加大接种量和外加营养碳氮源可以促进乙羧氟草醚的降解.该菌株降解乙羧氟草醚的最适pH为7.0,最适温度为30℃.菌株YF1能利用苯酚、邻苯二酚、对苯二酚、苯甲酸、龙胆酸、对硝基苯酚和邻氯苯酚为底物生长,不能利用3-苯氧基苯甲酸为碳源生长,菌株YF1细胞内邻苯二酚1,2-双加氧酶受到乙羧氟草醚或其代谢产物的诱导.图5表1参25     

低温条件下苯酚降解菌的分离鉴定及降解特性

在15℃低温的条件下,从本溪钢铁集团公司焦化厂曝气池活性污泥中分离、筛选得到1株高效苯酚降解菌,即Bb-2,它对起始质量浓度为400 mg·L-1的苯酚降解率为74.8%.经形态观察和生理生化实验,初步鉴定为假单胞菌属.该菌株能在4～40℃的温度条件下生长繁殖,因此为耐冷菌.当醋酸钠和葡萄糖作为第二碳源存在时,促进了低温下Bb-2对苯酚的生物降解.采用反应动力学方程拟合其降解过程,初始苯酚质量浓度较低时,遵循Monod方程;初始质量浓度较高时,其降解过程以基质抑制型的Haldane方程为主.     

单壁碳纳米管对Arthrobacter sp.W1生长及苯酚降解功能的影响

单壁碳纳米管(SWCNTs)对大肠杆菌等模式菌株的生长抑制作用明显,为了解SWCNTs对具有环境功能的菌株的作用,以苯酚降解菌Arthrobacter sp.W1为对象,考察不同浓度SWCNTs下菌株W1的生长曲线和苯酚降解曲线,并通过扫描电镜观察、细胞凋亡检测、DNA泄漏量分析和活性氧产量分析考察作用机制.结果表明,特定浓度范围的SWCNTs(0.5-5.0 mg/L)会加快W1的苯酚降解速率,且1.5-2.0 mg/L SWCNTs不抑制W1的生长.SWCNTs在溶液中形成团簇并吸附W1细胞,且对W1产生以物理穿刺为主的毒性作用,但在特定浓度范围的SWCNTs条件下,SWCNTs-菌株-苯酚体系增加了菌体与苯酚的接触机会,从而对W1生长和苯酚降解产生明显的促进作用.本研究结果可为进一步揭示SWCNTs的环境微生物效应提供理论依据.     

孔雀石绿降解菌M3的分离鉴定及降解特性研究

从鱼塘底泥中筛选分离出1株能高效降解低含量孔雀石绿(MG)的细菌M3.经16S rDNA同源性序列分析,鉴定为泛菌属(Pantoea sp.).30 ℃静止培养条件下,该菌株对0.5、1.0、2.0和5.0 mg·L-1孔雀石绿5 d的降解率分别为97.54%、97.1%、100%和77.8%.菌株M3不能以MG为唯一碳源进行生长和代谢.葡萄糖、NH4NO3、KH2PO4/K2HPO4均能影响菌株M3对MG的降解.20～30 ℃温度范围内菌株M3对MG有明显降解效果,且降解速率随温度上升而提高.     

氯氰菊酯降解菌的筛选鉴定及其降解特性研究

从农药厂废水排放口附近的污泥中分离到1株能降解氯氰菊酯的细菌LQ-3.根据其形态、生理生化特征和16S rDNA(GenBank Accession No.FJ222585)序列分析,将该菌株鉴定为Starkeya sp..LQ-3菌株只能以共代谢方式降解氯氰菊酯,在有酵母粉、蛋白胨、葡萄糖等营养物质存在的条件下,5 d内对20 mg·L-1氯氰菊酯的降解率达到72.1%.LQ-3菌株降解氯氰菊酯的最适温度为30 ℃左右,pH值为7～8.LQ-3菌株还能降解功夫菊酯、甲氰菊酯、联苯菊酯和溴氰菊酯.酶的定域试验表明,LQ-3菌株降解氯氰菊酯的酶属于胞外酶.     

麦草畏降解菌株Sphingobium sp.Dca-5的分离、鉴定及降解特性

麦草畏是一种广谱高效除草剂,随着抗麦草畏转基因作物的推广和使用,麦草畏的使用量急剧增加.为研究麦草畏的微生物降解机制,发掘新的麦草畏高效降解菌株和基因资源,从农药厂排污口土壤中筛选到一株以麦草畏为唯一碳源生长的鞘酯菌属(Sphingobium sp.)细菌Dca-5.该菌株48 h内完全矿化2.0 mmol/L的麦草畏,并检测到代谢产物3,6-二氯水杨酸,表明该菌株通过脱甲基起始麦草畏降解.Dca-5粗酶液在添加NADH时具有麦草畏脱甲基酶活性,但加入细胞色素P450抑制剂1-氨基苯并三唑、增效醚或马拉硫磷后酶活受到显著抑制.在Dca-5基因组中找到两个3,6-二氯水杨酸降解基因簇但未发现DMO和dmt同源基因.结果表明菌株Dca-5中的麦草畏脱甲基酶是一个新的细胞色素P450类单加氧酶.本研究为阐明麦草畏的微生物降解代谢机制,获得新的麦草畏脱甲基酶基因提供了菌株材料和理论依据;并且Sphingobium sp. Dca-5能快速矿化麦草畏,在麦草畏污染土壤的微生物修复方面具有良好的应用前景.(图8表1参27)     

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.     

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.     

Parasitic wasps orient to green leaf volatiles

Summary Undamaged plants emit low levels of green leaf volatiles (GLVs), while caterpillar-damaged and artificially damaged plants emit relatively higher levels of certain GLVs. Female braconid parasitoids,Microplitis croceipes, oriented to both damaged plants and to individual GLVs in no-choice tests in a wind tunnel, but seldom oriented to undamaged plants. Female ichneumonid parasitoids,Netelia heroica, also oriented to individual GLVs in a wind tunnel. Males of both wasp species failed to orient to the GLVs. These data show that leaf-feeding caterpillars can cause the release of GLVs, and that parasitic wasps can respond to these odors by flying upwind (chemoanemotactic response), which brings the wasps to their caterpillar hosts. This supports the hypothesis that plants communicate with members of the third trophic level,i.e., plants under herbivore attack emit chemical signals that guide natural enemies of herbivores to sites of plant damage. In this interaction, the GLVs serve as tritrophic plant-to-parasitoid synomones. That parasitoids from two different wasp families oriented to GLVs suggests that the response may be widespread among the Hymenoptera.Mention of a commercial or proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.