三唑醇杀菌剂在雄性丽斑麻蜥体内的对映选择性降解、蓄积和肝毒性研究

三唑醇(triadimenol, TN)是一种广泛使用的手性三唑类杀菌剂,它含有2个手性中心,4个手性对映体,包括对映体A(A1(R,S)和A2(S,R))以及对映体B(B1(R,R)和B2(S,S))。为了研究三唑醇在爬行动物体内的对映选择性行为和潜在的肝毒性,将雄性丽斑麻蜥分别一次经口暴露和28 d长期暴露于三唑醇(100 mg·kg~(-1) body weight),一次经口暴露结果显示,三唑醇进入大脑和肾中的浓度低于肝、性腺、皮肤和尾,B2(S,S)和B1(R,R)对映体具有相似的代谢速率。代谢过程中A1(R,S)的浓度明显高于A2(S,R),并且在暴露后12 h出现二次上升,这可能是A2(S,R)在体内手性转换为A1(R,S)导致。丽斑麻蜥长期(28 d)暴露于三唑醇后,性腺和肾中无明显蓄积现象,皮和尾中浓度显著高于其他组织,各个组织中三唑醇趋向于保持外消旋状态。三唑醇暴露后肝中主要的代谢基因cyp1a1c、yp3a4c、yp2b1和cyp2d3的表达量都出现明显上升,组织病理学分析进一步显示,三唑醇暴露后的肝组织出现组织空泡、血窦阻塞的症状,说明三唑醇对肝组织具有一定的毒性作用。上述结果为手性农药对爬行动物的生态毒理学评价提供了重要依据。     

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。     

5种化学品对丽斑麻蜥和日本鹌鹑的毒性研究

目前,在化学品生态风险评价体系中对爬行动物的毒性效应研究较少。本研究参考鸟类急性经口毒性试验建立了我国本土爬行动物——丽斑麻蜥(Eremias argus)的急性毒性测试方法,来评价化学品对爬行动物和鸟类的毒性效应之间的差异。选择异氰酸酯、1,2-苯并异噻唑-3-酮、2,4-二氯苯酚、苯并噻唑和二苯甲酮5种化学品分别对丽斑麻蜥进行暴露实验,并与鸟类模式物种——日本鹌鹑(Coturnix japonica)的急性毒性结果进行比较。结果发现异氰酸酯和苯并噻唑对丽斑麻蜥7 d的半数致死剂量(7 d-LD50)分别为125 mg·kg~(-1)和500 mg·kg~(-1),而对日本鹌鹑的7 d-LD50值分别为27 mg·kg~(-1)和37 mg·kg~(-1);1,2-苯并异噻唑-3-酮、2,4-二氯苯酚和二苯甲酮对丽斑麻蜥的7 d-LD50值分别为909 mg·kg~(-1)、787 mg·kg~(-1)和528 mg·kg~(-1),而对日本鹌鹑7 d-LD50值均大于剂量上限1 000 mg·kg~(-1)。结果表明,丽斑麻蜥和日本鹌鹑对相同化学品的毒性敏感性是存在差异的,用鸟类来评价化学品对爬行动物的潜在风险可能不够准确,应该重视化学品对爬行动物的毒性效应研究。同时,以本土爬行动物的代表物种丽斑麻蜥作为化学品环境风险评价的模式生物,对保护我国本土物种及其多样性、维持生态平衡具有重要意义。     

腈菌唑手性单体对雄性丽斑麻蜥肝脏代谢功能的影响

腈菌唑(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)。为评估腈菌唑单体暴露对丽斑麻蜥(Eremias argus)肝脏代谢功能的毒性影响,研究了MT1(5 mg·kg~(-1))和MT2(5 mg·kg~(-1))暴露28 d下蜥蜴体重、肝组织病理学和代谢相关基因表达的变化。结果显示,MT1暴露组的蜥蜴体重在28 d时出现显著下降。在MT1和MT2暴露后,蜥蜴的肝组织均出现了不同程度的病理学变化。在MT1暴露下,基因CYP1A1、CYP2D6、CYP3A4、CYP3A7和CYP2D3的表达水平未发生显著变化,而基因CYP2C8A的表达显著上调。在MT2暴露下,基因CYP3A4、CYP3A7和CYP2D3的表达未发生明显变化;基因CYP1A1和CYP2C8的表达显著下调;基因CYP2D6的表达显著上调。不同腈菌唑单体对蜥蜴体重、肝组织病理学以及代谢相关基因的表达影响不同,具有一定的对映选择性。     

Chiralpak AS-H手性柱分离三唑醇对映体

利用Chiralpak型AS-H手性柱成功拆分三唑醇对映体,并通过气质联用和在线旋光检测器对四个对映体进行了定性,四个对映体按洗脱先后顺序依次分别为( )-三唑醇A、(-)-三唑醇A、( )-三唑醇B和(-)-三唑醇B.考察了流动相中异丙醇改性剂浓度对其对映体分离的影响.结果表明,在异丙醇含量为0-10%的范围内,随着异丙醇含量的增加,( )-三唑醇A和(-)-三唑醇A两个对映体的分离度呈波浪式下降,(-)-三唑醇A和( )-三唑醇B的分离度愈来愈小,而( )-三唑醇B和(-)-三唑醇B对映体的分离度愈来愈大.     

手性氟虫腈对意大利蜜蜂和稻螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性及安全评价

手性农药多以外消旋体形式用于农业生产和卫生害虫防治中。但手性农药对映体通常具有不同的生物活性和毒性,这种现象在农药环境风险评价过程中往往被忽视。本研究以氟虫腈为例,首先用高效液相色谱-手性固定相(HPLC-CSP)技术拆分出氟虫腈的S型和R型2种对映体,分别采用点滴法和药膜法测定了氟虫腈对映体及外消旋体对意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)和稻螟赤眼蜂(Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead)的急性毒性。结果显示,S(+)-氟虫腈、R(-)-氟虫腈和外消旋体对意大利蜜蜂的48h-LD50分别为0.00341、0.00396和0.00383μg·蜂-1,对稻螟赤眼蜂的24h-LR50分别为7.56×10-7、8.06×10-7和7.29×10-7mg·cm-2。研究表明,氟虫腈对意大利蜜蜂具有高毒性风险,对稻螟赤眼蜂有极高毒性风险,且氟虫腈对意大利蜜蜂和稻螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性无明显的对映体选择性。因此,使用氟虫腈单一对映体不会降低其对环境生物的毒害风险。     

手性杀菌剂在有机蔬菜中的残留特征

本文建立了基于QuEChER-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱分析有机蔬菜中联苯三唑醇、苯霜灵、己唑醇、戊唑醇、粉唑醇、三唑酮、腈菌唑、甲霜灵和多效唑等9种手性杀菌剂的分析方法,该方法定量限为6.4—270.3 ng·kg~(-1)鲜重(fw),相对回收率为77.1%—110.3%.随后运用该方法对有机番茄、苦瓜、黄瓜和胡萝卜等4种有机蔬菜中的手性杀菌剂残留及其对映体特征进行了分析.研究结果显示,9种杀菌剂中,联苯三唑醇未检出,甲霜灵残留量最高,中值为4.9μg·kg~(-1) fw,有机黄瓜中的甲霜灵残留量(1.1—1.4 mg·kg~(-1) fw)超标(中国食品安全国家标准,最大残留限量0.5 mg·kg~(-1) fw).在4种有机蔬菜中,胡萝卜和黄瓜检测出的手性杀菌剂种类最多,且黄瓜的手性杀菌剂残留总量最高,达1.1—1.4 mg·kg~(-1) fw,主要为甲霜灵.不同蔬菜种类的杀菌剂残留有明显差异,但有机蔬菜的杀菌剂残留远低于常规蔬菜.手性杀菌剂对映体的残留与蔬菜种类有关.     

苯并芘和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯复合暴露对稀有鮈鲫的内分泌干扰效应研究

为评价典型有机污染物共存情况下对长江上游三峡库区特有珍稀鱼类的环境风险,以稀有鮈鲫(Gobiocypris rarus)为对象,研究了多环芳烃和酞酸酯的代表物苯并芘(BaP)和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)单独及复合暴露而引起的内分泌干扰效应。将成年稀有鮈鲫暴露于不同浓度的BaP(0.1、1μg·L~(-1))、DEHP(10、100μg·L~(-1))和BaP+DEHP((0.1+10)、(1+100)μg·L~(-1))中28 d后,测定了体质系数、性激素含量、下丘脑-垂体-性腺(HPG)轴和肝脏中与生殖相关基因的表达。结果表明:在雌鱼中,单独BaP或DEHP暴露对鱼体性激素含量、基因表达量无显著影响; BaP和DEHP复合暴露时,高浓度组睾酮(T)含量升高但雌二醇(E2)含量下降,fsh、vtg、 cyp17和17β-hsd基因表达量上调,cyp19a则下调,表现出协同毒性。因而雌鱼中性激素水平的改变可能与类固醇合成相关基因表达量的改变有关。而无论在单独暴露或是复合暴露情况下,对雄鱼体内性激素无显著影响。以上检测到的激素或基因表达量的改变主要发生在高剂量的复合暴露组中,而长江上游三峡库区水体中多环芳烃和酞酸酯含量低于暴露的最低浓度,因此推测,库区存在的多环芳烃和酞酸酯同时作用时不会对三峡库区上游水体中的鱼类产生生殖内分泌干扰效应。     

手性药物的水环境行为、毒性效应及生态风险

药物污染已经成为一个重要的环境问题,目前生产和使用的药物中大部分为手性药物,进入地表水环境后,2个对映异构体在生物降解和生态毒性等方面可能存在显著的差异。本文以8种手性药物为研究对象,系统综述了手性药物在水环境中的暴露特征和降解转化规律,分析其对不同生物靶点的毒性效应和机理,探讨了其对水生态系统的潜在风险。结果表明,8种手性药物在国内外地表水中的检出浓度达到μg·L^-1水平。手性药物在地表水环境中的对映体构成受药物种类、环境条件和时间的影响;布洛芬、普萘洛尔等差异显著的手性药物可以作为污染源示踪的特征污染物;不同污水处理工艺的对映体选择性也有较大差异,导致污水处理厂出水中手性药物对映体分数(enantiomer fraction, EF)值不同。由于手性药物在生物体内发生手性代谢和手性转化,导致体外毒性实验与体内毒性效果差异很大,手性药物在不同水生生物类群体内的受体或生物利用率有所差异,从而表现出不同的立体选择性。基于外消旋体的生态风险评估研究表明,目前布洛芬、卡马西平和萘普生等手性药物对水生生物具有潜在的风险,而不同对映体对水生生物的毒性存在一定差异。因此,有必...     

γ-六溴环十二烷对映体对玉米的氧化损伤

研究了γ-六溴环十二烷(γ-HBCD)对玉米的对映体选择性毒性效应.采用高效液相色谱法制备得到(+)γ-HBCD和(-)γ-HBCD 2个对映体.以玉米为受试植物,将幼苗分别暴露于不同浓度的(+)γ-HBCD、(-)γ-HBCD和外消旋HBCD((rac)γ-HBCD)溶液中.结果表明,玉米幼苗的生长受到了明显的影响,根生物量、地上部分生物量、根长度、地上部分长度等生理指标均受到显著抑制,且抑制率为(+)γ-HBCD(rac)γ-HBCD(-)γ-HBCD;与(rac)γ-HBCD和(-)γ-HBCD相比,低浓度的(+)γ-HBCD显著诱导了玉米根和地上部分超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)的活性,高浓度时则表现为抑制作用;组蛋白H2AX的磷酸化水平随γ-HBCD对映体和外消旋体暴露浓度的增加均呈现先升高后降低的趋势,其中(+)γ-HBCD的诱导最为显著,表明幼苗体内可能发生了对映体选择性DNA损伤.综上所述,γ-HBCD对玉米产生了对映体选择性氧化损伤,且(+)γ-HBCD的毒性强于(rac)γ-HBCD和(-)γ-HBCD.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

PVC塑料浸出液对3种海洋微藻光合作用及生长的影响

海洋微塑料作为一类新型环境污染物已经成为全球性环境问题。运用水样叶绿素荧光仪(Water-PAM)研究了不同浓度软聚氯乙烯(polyvinyl chloride, PVC)和硬PVC浸出液(0、50、100和200 g·L~(-1))胁迫下球等鞭金藻(Isochrysis galbana)、中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)和小球藻(Chlorella sp.)3种海洋微藻叶绿素荧光特性,包括PSⅡ最大量子产量(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ实际量子产量(Yield)、光化学淬灭(qP)和PSⅡ最大相对电子传递速率(rETR_(max))的变化,同时检测微藻的生长状况。结果表明,球等鞭金藻(金藻门)和中肋骨条藻(硅藻门)的4项光合作用参数在软PVC浸出液胁迫的96 h内均显著下降,且随软PVC浸出液浓度增加,下降幅度增大,在实验后期(48～96 h)达到最小值,表现为抑制作用。96 h时,球等鞭金藻和中肋骨条藻的细胞密度均在软PVC浸出液200 g·L~(-1)处理组达到最小值,分别占对照组的3.20%和11.90%。硬PVC浸出液胁迫对球等鞭金藻和中肋骨条藻的4项光合作用参数具有显著影响(P<0.05),球等鞭金藻的4项参数均显著高于对照组。中肋骨条藻的相关光合作用参数均显著低于对照组。72 h时球等鞭金藻和中肋骨条藻的细胞密度分别在硬PVC浸出液100 g·L-1和200 g·L~(-1)处理组达到最小值,为对照组的67.90%和82.50%,表现为抑制作用。小球藻(绿藻门)的各光合作用参数和细胞密度在软PVC和硬PVC浸出液胁迫的96 h内未产生显著变化。该研究证实PVC浸出液对微藻光合系统具有干扰作用,对海洋生态系统具有潜在风险。     

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。     

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.     

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.