Low abundance of long-tongued pollinators leads to pollen limitation in four specialized hawkmoth-pollinated plants in the Atlantic Rain forest,Brazil

Long-tubed hawkmoth-pollinated species present some of the most remarkable examples of floral specialization depending exclusively on long-tongued hawkmoths for sexual reproduction. Nonetheless, long-tongued hawkmoths do not rely exclusively on specialized plants as nectar sources, which may limit sexual reproduction through pollen limitation. However, very few studies have quantified the level of pollen limitation in plants with highly specialized floral traits in tropical regions. In this context, we studied four sympatric hawkmoth-pollinated species in a highland Atlantic Rain forest and assessed pollen limitation and their dependence on pollinators by analyzing the floral biology, breeding system, pollination mechanisms, and abundance of long-tongued pollinators. We showed that the four species are self-compatible, but are completely dependent on long-tongued hawkmoths to set fruits, and that flower visitation was infrequent in all plant species. Pollen limitation indices ranged from 0.53 to 0.96 showing that fruit set is highly limited by pollen receipt. Long-tongued moths are much less abundant and comprise only one sixth of the hawkmoth fauna. Pollen analyses of 578 sampled moths revealed that hawkmoths visited ca. 80 plant species in the community, but only two of the four species studied. Visited plants included a long-tubed hawkmoth-pollinated species endemic to the lowland forest ca. 15–20 km away from the study site. Specialization index (H ₂ ′?=?0.20) showed that community-level interactions between hawkmoths and plants are generalized. We suggest that sexual reproduction of these highly specialized hawkmoth-pollinated species is impaired by competition among plants for pollinators, in conjunction with the low abundance and diversity of long-tongued pollinators.     

某污灌区污水-土壤-地下水污染物分布特征

通过对某污灌区灌溉水、土壤及地下水的取样分析,研究了灌区污染物的分布特征。结果表明:灌区主要污染物为重金属Zn、多环芳烃和农残六六六。不同污染物分布特征不同。重金属主要富集于土壤表层,如Zn大部分富集于耕植层中(0～30cm),但浓度过高,其可向深部迁移。多环芳烃按分子量可分为三类,小分子量芳烃迁移过程中降解转化显著;中分子量芳烃迁移至深部土壤和地下水,土壤各深度吸附量几乎相同;大分子量芳烃化学性质稳定,易吸附沉积于表层土壤和底泥中。农残六六六迁移深度至少可达50m。     

Deep-time patterns of tissue consumption by terrestrial arthropod herbivores

A survey of the fossil record of land-plant tissues and their damage by arthropods reveals several results that shed light on trophic trends in host-plant resource use by arthropods. All 14 major plant tissues were present by the end of the Devonian, representing the earliest 20 % of the terrestrial biota. During this interval, two types of time lags separate the point between when tissues first originated from their earliest consumption by herbivorous arthropods. For epidermis, parenchyma, collenchyma and xylem, live tissue consumption was rapid, occurring on average 10 m.y. after the earliest tissue records. By contrast, structural tissues (periderm, sclerenchyma), tissues with actively dividing cells (apical, lateral, intercalary meristems), and reproductive tissues (spores, megagametophytes, integuments) experienced approximately a 9-fold (92 m.y.) delay in arthropod herbivory, extending well into the Carboniferous Period. Phloem similarly presents a delay of 85 m.y., but this incongruously long lag-time may be attributed to the lack of preservation of this tissue in early vascular plants. Nevertheless, the presence of phloem can be indicated from planar spaces adjacent well-preserved xylem, or inferred from a known anatomy of the same plant taxon in better preserved material, especially permineralisations. The trophic partitioning of epidermis, parenchyma, phloem and xylem increases considerably to the present, probably a consequence of dietary specialization or consumption of whole leaves by several herbivore functional feeding groups. Structural tissues, meristematic tissues and reproductive tissues minimally have been consumed throughout the fossil record, consistent with their long lags to herbivory during the earlier Paleozoic. Neither angiosperm dominance in floras nor global environmental perturbations had any discernible effect on herbivore trophic partitioning of plant tissues.     

不同有机肥中磷在土壤剖面中累积迁移特征与有效性差异

为明确连续施用不同有机肥后土壤剖面中磷的分布规律和迁移特征,探讨不同有机肥磷投入下农田磷负荷.通过4 a连续田间定位试验,定量化研究连续施用不同有机肥后土壤剖面中磷的累积迁移特征与有效性差异.结果表明:(1)连续4 a施用不同有机肥后,肥料中磷主要积累在0~15 cm表层土壤,土壤全磷、速效磷含量均随土壤深度增加逐渐降低;连续4 a施用高量有机肥后,其带入的磷可明显迁移到15~30 cm土层,施用高量猪粪速效磷可迁移到60~90 cm土层.(2)连续4 a施用不同有机肥后,土壤表层中速效磷占全磷比例增加,且高用量与低用量之间差异显著.土壤剖面中速效磷占全磷比例的大小顺序为:猪粪处理鸡粪处理污泥处理磷肥处理.(3)施用鸡粪、猪粪、污泥和磷肥后土壤表层中速效磷含量随磷投入量增加呈先增加后平缓的规律.(4)本试验条件下,不同有机肥相同磷投入下对表层土壤速效磷贡献存在较大差异,表现为:猪粪鸡粪污泥.猪粪带入磷的生物有效性和移动性明显高于鸡粪、污泥和磷肥.     

Studies on relationships between air pollutants and allergenicity of Humulus Scandens pollen collected from different areas of Shanghai

Pollen pollution and allergy are becoming prominent issues in China. However, few studies on pollinosis have been reported. As an allergen in the atmosphere, allergenic Humulus scandens pollen was collected from four districts of Shanghai, including Wusong (WS), Jiading (JD), Xujiahui (XJH) and Songjiang (SJ). The mass concentrations of SO₂, NO₂, O₃, PM_10, and PM_2.5 (particulate matter with air dynamic diameter less than 10 and 2.5 µm, respectively) near the four sampling sites were also recorded during Humulus scandens pollen season. The allergenicity of the Humulus scandens pollen was assessed by using of a rat model and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Relationships between the allergenicity and air pollutants were correlated. Our results demonstrated that the biological viability of the pollens collected from the four districts exhibited no significant differences. ELISA and dot blotting results further demonstrated that the serum of sensitized rats exhibited much higher immune-reactive response than that of control groups. Western blotting showed that the 15 KD (1KD = 1000 dalton) proteins of Humulus pollen led to the allergic response. The allergenic intensity of Humulus pollen protein from different samples followed the pattern: WS > JD > XJ > SJ. There was a negative relationship between the allergenicity of Humulus pollens and PM₁₀ (R = -0.99) / PM_2.5 (R = -0.73), and a positive relationship with O₃ (R = 0.92). These data clearly showed that PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 could enhance Humulus pollen protein release, and O₃ could aggravate the allergenicity of the Humulus pollen.     

滇池微囊藻沉降细胞生理特性及沉降比率动态变化研究

通过比较滇池漂浮细胞与沉降细胞生理活性差异,比较表层水样与底层水样沉降比率、活细胞的比例,揭示沉降细胞的生理特征,进而调查沉降比率与叶绿素a含量的动态变化,探讨藻细胞沉降与微囊藻水华发展趋势的关系.野外水样在室内放置2 h后,漂浮细胞与沉降细胞在水柱中基本稳定.沉降细胞PSⅡ的最大光化学效率、细胞膜完整性与漂浮细胞无显著性差异(p0.05),但沉降细胞电子传递速率,尼克酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸(磷酸)[NAD(P)H]依赖型氧还脱氢酶活性显著低于漂浮细胞(p0.01).比较表层样品与底层样品,底层样品沉降比率显著高于表层样品(p0.01),噻唑蓝(MTT)阴性细胞比率也显著高于表层样品(p0.01).这些结果表明,沉降细胞受到损伤,代谢活性下降.在2007年10月~2008年5月研究期间内,表层水样沉降比率在冬季最高达40%,沉降比率的动态变化与水体叶绿素a浓度变化呈负相关(p0.05).藻细胞的沉降是微囊藻水华衰退的重要原因,沉降比率的研究将有助于了解水体微囊藻水华发生发展,沉降细胞生理特性研究为将沉降比率引入微囊藻水华发展趋势预测提供了理论依据.     

Geological emission of methane from the Yakela condensed oil/gas field in Talimu Basin, Xinjiang, China

A static flux chamber method was applied to study natural emissions of methane into the atmosphere in the Yakela condensed oil/gas field in Talimu Basin, Xinjiang, China. Using an online method, which couples a gas chromatography/high-temperature conversion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/MS) together, the 13C/12C ratios of methane in the flux chambers were measured. The results demonstrated that methane gases were liable to migrate from deep oil/gas reservoir to the surface through microseepage and p...     

Pheromone-modulated behavioral suites influence colony growth in the honey bee (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera</Emphasis>)

The success of a species depends on its ability to assess its environment and to decide accordingly which behaviors are most appropriate. Many animal species, from bacteria to mammals, are able to communicate using interspecies chemicals called pheromones. In addition to exerting physiological effects on individuals, for social species, pheromones communicate group social structure. Communication of social structure is important to social insects for the allocation of its working members into coordinated suites of behaviors. We tested effects of long-term treatment with brood pheromone on suites of honey bee brood rearing and foraging behaviors. Pheromone-treated colonies reared significantly greater brood areas and more adults than controls, while amounts of stored pollen and honey remained statistically similar. Brood pheromone increased the number of pollen foragers and the pollen load weights they returned. It appeared that the pheromone-induced increase in pollen intake was directly canalized into more brood rearing. A two-way pheromone priming effect was observed, such that some workers from the same age cohorts showed an increased and extended capacity to rear larvae, while others were recruited at significantly younger ages into pollen-specific foraging. Brood pheromone affected suites of nursing and foraging behaviors allocating worker and pollen resources associated with an important fitness trait, colony growth.     

Non-UV based germicidal activity of metal-doped TiO2 coating on solid surfaces

A stain-based screening method was developed to screen different catalyst coatings for their germicidal activity. A Baclight dead/live bacteria viability kit （invitrogen, molecular probes） was used for staining the cell. The screening was carried out following a standard procedure. This included loading cell suspension to solid surface and maintaining contact for 30 min, then staining with a mixture containing dyes. The stained cells were observed using an epifluorescent microscope and photographed with a CCD camera under UV. Metal-doped TiO2 coatings on AI plates were prepared and tested for non-UV germicidal activity without using UV. It was tested using model microorganisms such as Bakers Yeast （Saccharomyces cerevisiae）, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, and Escherichia coli. On the basis of the germicidal activity of catalyst and the degree of damage caused to the cells, the stained cells may appear green （viable）, green with red or yellow nuclei and yellow （compromised） or red （nonviable）. According to their stained color, cells were counted to calculate the percentage of dead, live, and compromised cells. Compromised cells are cells that grow very slowly after reculturing indicating a degree of reversible cell damage. Screening the germicidal activity using this staining method is accurate and efficient, and requires less time than the culture-based method. A modification to the procedure for measuring germicidal activity of rough surfaces or fibrous coatings was developed. Both TiO2 and metal-doped TiO2 （Ag, Pt, Au, Cu） possess non-UV based germicidal activity. The germicidal activity of TiO2 was found to be related with its wetting property and can be improved by UV irradiation before testing. It is not greatly affected by contact time, indicating a fast acting germicidal activity.     

镉致背角无齿蚌消化腺组织损伤及调节消化腺和斧足的抗氧化酶活性

采用酶学和组织学方法,研究了镉(Cd)对背角无齿蚌(Anodonta woodiana)消化腺和斧足组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和组织形态结构的影响.Cd浓度设置为4.22、8.43、16.86、33.72和67.45 mg·L-1,处理时间为24 h、48 h、72 h和96 h.结果显示,与对照组相比,同一时间随着Cd浓度的增加,消化腺中SOD和CAT活性,在24 h呈现升高的趋势;96 h消化腺中SOD活性逐渐升高,差异极显著(p0.01);48 h和72 h呈现先升后降的趋势.斧足中SOD和CAT在72 h和96 h时活性升高明显,差异显著或极显著(p0.01,p0.05).Cd浓度67.45 mg·L-1处理24 h,消化腺组织细胞结构变化不明显;在48 h以后,消化管间结缔组织松散,腺体结构损伤严重,上皮细胞形态结构异常,细胞界限模糊,甚至消失;细胞膜肿胀、变形;有的细胞核碎裂、明显肿胀甚至消失,上皮细胞部分与基膜分离、脱落;斧足组织未出现显著变化和损伤.研究表明,消化腺在酶活性和组织结构上对镉的反应较快且更具规律性,而且具有明显的时间和剂量效应关系.但是,斧足对镉的胁迫反应与消化腺相比较为迟缓,说明组织之间对重金属的敏感性具有差异性.     

Mortality of pollen beetle (Meligethes spp.) larvae due to predators and parasitoids in rape fields and the effect of conservation strips

In 1996–1999, different mortality factors of pollen beetle larvae were investigated in twenty six rape fields in the northern part of Switzerland which had either a wild flower strip or an extensively managed meadow adjacent to the long side of the field. At 3 and 30 m into the crop from the conservation strip, total mortality, mortality from predators, parasitoids and unspecified factors were measured. Total pollen beetle larval mortality was 66–96%. Mortality caused by predators was 16–27% and there was no significant difference between mortality at 3 m and that 30 m from the extensively managed meadows. However, in fields with wild flower strips adjacent to them, the percentage mortality from predators was significantly greater at 30 m than at 3 m. The range of parasitism of pollen beetle larvae was 0–54% and was on average greater at 3 m than at 30 m. In fields with wild flower strips, the percentage parasitism with Tersilochus heterocerus was significantly higher than in fields with extensively managed meadows. However, mortality from all parasitoids was only 1–2% and there was no significant difference between 3 and 30 m. The effect of parasitoids on pollen beetle mortality was masked by the high unspecified mortality and the mortality from predators. The unspecified mortality was 46–72% and was significantly greater in 1998 and 1999 than in 1996 and 1997. These differences are probably because of meteorological factors (wet in 1999 and dry in 1998). The possible influences of the two types of conservation strips on pollen beetle larval density were investigated. The results show that in fields with adjacent wild flower strips, the pollen beetle larvae were more evenly distributed (but not significantly so) than in fields with extensively managed meadows where larval density decreases faster from the edge into the rape field.     

Some observations of the structure of the choroid plexus and its cysts

The structure of the choroid plexus was studied in five normal human embryos, three normal fetuses and three fetuses with choroid plexus cysts. These were detected by ultrasound and the fetuses were karyotypically normal. The choroid plexus appears in the lateral cerebral ventricles at the seventh developmental week. The early structure is lobulated with vessels running in the mesenchymal stroma and forming capillary nets under the single-layered ependymal epithelium. This embryonal structure is converted into the fetal type during the ninth developmental week as the embryonal capillary net is replaced by elongated loops of wavy capillaries that lie under regular longitudinal epithelial folds. The choroid plexus cysts exhibited accumulation of fluid within distended mesenchymal stroma and did not show the wavy folds on this surface, which was smooth. Within this connective tissue of the cyst wall were distended angiomatous interconnecting thin-walled capillaries. Therefore, filled cavities were not lined by any epithelium. We suggest that fetal choroid plexuses cysts (at least in many cases) are in fact pseudocysts exhibiting angiomatous patterns of capillaries in their walls. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Genetic amniocentesis in multiple gestations

Thirty-one genetic amniocenteses involving multiple gestations were performed in the genetics unit between 1976 and 1982. Three sets of triplets were included. Precise locations of the sacs were determined using real-time ultrasonography and successful sampling of all sacs was accomplished. Spontaneous abortions occurred in two normal twins and one normal triplet gestation. Two therapeutic abortions were performed for fetal abnormalities. Two cases of discordance for trisomy 21 (one twin and one triplet) were allowed to continue; the twin case terminated at 25 weeks' gestation with neonatal deaths and the triplets are alive and well.     

我国沿海港口的微观生物初期污损调查

目的对我国渤海、黄海、东海和南海海域的港口进行微观生物污损调查。方法在天津、青岛、宁波、湛江和三亚的港口进行实海挂样试验,通过染色、封装、显微观察、计数等方法,对我国沿海从北到南五个港口微观生物的初期污损进行调查。结果通过玻片实海浸挂和荧光显微观察法,建立了一种生物污损初期附着状况的试验调查方法。微观生物污损主要以细菌和硅藻为主,在样片浸入海水后的数小时内,表面即附着微观生物。不同港口的挂片表面所附着的生物量存在差异,实海挂片24h后,样片表面附着的细菌数量约为100～300cells/mm~2,微藻数量约为10～60cells/mm~2。在相同试验周期内,水温较高海域收集到的样片表面的生物量较大。随港口纬度的升高,样片表面的生物量减少。结论我国沿海海港的微观污损生物均以细菌和硅藻为主,初期生物附着量受港口所处纬度影响,五个港口一天内的微观生物附着量均大于10 cells/mm~2。     

Sampling pure fetal blood in twin pregnancies by fetoscopy using a single uterine puncture

A technique for sampling pure fetal blood in twin pregnancies using a single uterine entry with a fetoscope is described. The fetoscope was inserted into one sac and after blood had been obtained from that, twin, the fetus in the other sac was sampled by trans-septal passage of the blood-sampling needle. This was done in six out of seven patients, the first in the series having two separate insertions of the fetoscope, one into each sac. Pure fetal blood was taken from all 14 fetuses, either from the placental insertion of the umbilical cord or the umbilicus, and the volume of the samples ranged from 200 μl to 1200 μl. In six patients the fetuses were at risk of β-thalassaemia and in one of haemophilia A. Some observations are made relating zygosity to the ultrasonic and fetoscopic appearance of the septum between the sacs.     

凤眼莲净化含酚污水的研究——Ⅱ.组织、细胞和匀浆水平的试验

测定了凤眼莲根与叶组织、悬浮叶肉细胞以及根与叶组织匀浆对含酚污水的净化能力,结果表明,这些系统均具去除水中酚的明显作用,说明凤眼莲本身确有降解酚的效果。去除的酚是被组织或匀浆边吸收边降解的。用表面消毒杀死组织表面的微生物后,对叶的组织或匀浆除酚能力的影响很小,却使根组织的降酚过程明显减慢,证实了根际微生物在该系统起一定作用。黑暗条件下叶组织仍有降酚作用,只是速度比光照下稍减慢,说明光照在凤眼莲对酚水的净化中不是必需的。     

Rodlet Cells in the Head and Trunk Kidney of the Domestic Carp (Cyprinus carpio): Enigmatic Gland Cells or Coccidian Parasites?

 Rodlet cells have been found in the head and trunk kidneys of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). From an experimental sample of 50 carps of various ages, we detected these cells in only seven fishes, contradicting the hypothesis that they constitute a normal component of the fish epithelia. The rodlet cells have a typical structure: 12–16 μm in diameter, with a basal nucleus various in form, and an encasing layer of fibrillar structure. The cells contain rodlets, composed of elongated, opaque sacs featuring dark rods in the center, which strongly elongate in ripening cells. Remarkable pseudopodia-like extensions from the apical parts of the rodlet cells penetrate into the delicate blood vessels and sinusoids of the organs. The encasing layer at the cell apex then opens to release the rodlets into the bloodstream. No junctions were found between the rodlet cells and neighboring cells. It is suggested that these cells comprise some kind of "symbiosis" between leukocyte, possible granulocyte cells, and the parasitic rodlets. The cells serve the rodlets as an incubation chamber, as well as a means of transportation into the bloodstream after ripening. Received: 29 December 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 3 March 1999     

孟氏浮游蓝丝藻在模拟水体中的垂直分布与浮力规律研究

采用大型室内湖泊模拟装置对孟氏浮游蓝丝藻在富营养化湖泊中的垂直分布与迁移特征进行了模拟,并通过10 L玻璃瓶实验对孟氏浮游蓝丝藻浮力对光的响应进行了分析.湖泊模拟实验结果表明,光照后,表层孟氏浮游蓝丝藻开始向下层迁移,光照8h后,藻丝在深2～3m左右水层形成稳定聚集层;藻丝容易集聚层在光照度为10μmol·(m2·s)-1左右水层,处于该水层上部的藻丝漂浮百分率<50%趋向于沉降,处于该水层下部的藻丝漂浮百分率>50%趋向于漂浮;无光照后,藻丝开始往水体表层聚集,无光照12h后,约20%的藻丝聚集在水体表层,无光照48h后,约50%的藻丝聚集在水体表层;说明浮游蓝丝藻白天主要分布在水体2～3m处,在早晨或连续的阴天后,可能在水体表层形成水华.10 L玻璃瓶实验结果表明,强光照[100μmol·(m2·s)-1]/无光照周期下藻丝漂浮百分率在30%-70%间变化,弱光照[25μmol·(m2·s)-1]/无光照周期下藻丝漂浮百分率在30%-50%间变化,说明强光照[100μmol·(m2·s)-1]/无光照周期下藻丝具有明显的沉降与漂浮特征.1昼夜内,藻细胞蛋白质和伪空胞的变化不明显,糖含量在14%-35%间变化,藻丝的浮力对光照的响应可能通过藻细胞的糖含量变化实现.     

互花米草厌氧消化产沼气的实验研究

为探索入侵物种互花米草厌氧生物处理的可行性,研究了互花米草中温批式厌氧发酵的产气特性和物质转化过程.结果表明,互花米草的产气率随VS负荷的增加呈现先增加后降低的趋势,当VS浓度为6.0%时,产气效果最好,产气量为294.84mL/g VS.发酵过程中,有机酸先增加后降低,pH值与有机酸呈极显著的负相关(R=-0.97508),该发酵过程为丁酸型发酵.互花米草中的维管束、薄壁细胞以及纹孔,有利于其进行厌氧生物处理, 发酵后的互花米草外观变得毛糙,出现了很多丝状物,维管束结构破坏严重,皮层和薄壁细胞不易被厌氧微生物破坏.FTIR和XRD结果显示,厌氧微生物不但利用互花米草中的易分解有机物,对纤维素的结晶区也有一定的破坏,发酵后的互花米草木质素相对含量增加.