A new Jurassic theropod from China documents a transitional step in the macrostructure of feathers

Genuine fossils with exquisitely preserved plumage from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous of northeastern China have recently revealed that bird-like theropod dinosaurs had long pennaceous feathers along their hindlimbs and may have used their four wings to glide or fly. Thus, it has been postulated that early bird flight might initially have involved four wings (Xu et al. Nature 421:335–340, 2003; Hu et al. Nature 461:640–643, 2009; Han et al. Nat Commun 5:4382, 2014). Here, we describe Serikornis sungei gen. et sp. nov., a new feathered theropod from the Tiaojishan Fm (Late Jurassic) of Liaoning Province, China. Its skeletal morphology suggests a ground-dwelling ecology with no flying adaptations. Our phylogenetic analysis places Serikornis, together with other Late Jurassic paravians from China, as a basal paravians, outside the Eumaniraptora clade. The tail of Serikornis is covered proximally by filaments and distally by slender rectrices. Thin symmetrical remiges lacking barbules are attached along its forelimbs and elongate hindlimb feathers extend up to its toes, suggesting that hindlimb remiges evolved in ground-dwelling maniraptorans before being co-opted to an arboreal lifestyle or flight.     

Oviposition strategies of conifer seed chalcids in relation to host phenology

Insects are considered the most important predators of seed cones, the female reproductive structures of conifers, prior to seed dispersal. Slightly more than 100 genera of insects are known to parasitize conifer seed cones. The most diverse (i.e., number of species) of these genera is Megastigmus (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), which comprises many important seed pests of native and exotic conifers. Seed chalcids, Megastigmus spp., lay eggs inside the developing ovules of host conifers and, until recently, oviposition was believed to occur only in fertilized ovules. Ovule development begins just after pollination, but stops if cells are not fertilized. The morphological stage of cone development at the time of oviposition by seed chalcids has been established for many species; however, knowledge of ovule development at that time has been documented for only one species, M. spermotrophus. Megastigmus spermotrophus oviposits in Douglas-fir ovules after pollination but before fertilization. Unlike the unfertilized ovules, those containing a M. spermotrophus larva continue to develop, whether fertilized or not, stressing the need to broaden our understanding of the insect–plant interactions for this entire genus. To achieve this task, we reviewed the scientific literature and assembled information pertaining to the timing of oviposition and to the pollination and fertilization periods of their respective host(s). More specifically, we were searching for circumstantial evidence that other species of Megastigmus associated with conifers could behave (i.e., oviposit before ovule fertilization) and impact on female gametophyte (i.e., prevent abortion) like M. spermotrophus. The evidence from our compilation suggests that seed chalcids infesting Pinaceae may also oviposit before ovule fertilization, just like M. spermotrophus, whereas those infesting Cupressaceae seemingly oviposit after ovule fertilization. Based on this evidence, we hypothesize that all species of Megastigmus associated with Pinaceae can oviposit in unfertilized ovules, whereas those exploiting Cupressaceae cannot, and thus oviposit only in already fully developed fertilized seeds. Furthermore, we predict that the presence of a larva in unfertilized ovules of all Pinaceae will influence the development of the female gametophyte by preventing its abortion. This influence on the Pinaceae can be interpreted as an ability to parasitize any of the potential seeds present in a seed cone, and as such represents a much more efficient oviposition strategy than searching and locating only fertilized seeds. Concomitantly, this ability has likely led to an overestimation of the impact of the species of seed chalcid infesting Pinaceae on seed production.     

种植陆地棉原位净化污灌区土壤中镉的可行性

为探讨非食源性作物陆地棉应用于土壤中镉原位净化的可行性,选取华北地区城郊污灌区6块代表性陆地棉样地,运用高分辨电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(HR-ICP-MS),测定了土壤及陆地棉根系、秸秆、果壳、纤维、籽粒中消解态全镉含量. 结果显示:污灌土壤中w(Cd)平均值为247.26 μg/kg,已出现积累现象;陆地棉植株各组织中w(Cd)为果壳(199.1 μg/kg)>秸秆(171.8 μg/kg)>根系(122.9 μg/kg)>籽粒(107.8 μg/kg)>纤维(44.8 μg/kg);陆地棉植株地上部分w(Cd)的加权平均值为150.2 μg/kg,其富集系数(BCF)为0.612,转移系数(TI)为1.22;按陆地棉生物量(干质量)为36000 kg/hm2计算,种植一季陆地棉可使土壤耕作层中w(Cd)降低2.02 μg/kg,降低了0.82%. 陆地棉属非食源性经济作物,其地域适应性广,对土壤镉的耐性较强,在污灌区土壤镉的原位净化中具有潜在应用前景.      

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.     

Hydrocarbons from plants: Analytical methods and observations

We have suggested that certain plants rich in hydrocarbon-like materials might be cultivated for renewable photosynthetic products. Two species were selected for experimental plantations: Euphorbia lathyris, an annual from seed and Euphorbia tirucalli, a perennial from cuttings. The yield from each species is over 10 barrels of oil/acre/year without genetic or agronomic improvement. In addition to plants, there are trees, such as species of Copaifera in Brazil and other tropical areas, which produce a diesel-like oil upon tapping. Each tree produces approximately 40 liters of hydrocarbon per year, and this material can be used directly by a diesel-powered car. Further efforts to develop plants as alternate energy sources are underway, as well as a continuing search for additional plant species throughout the world which have a similar capability.     

Remediation effect of compost on soluble mercury transfer in a crop of Phaseolus vulgaris

We studied the dynamics of mercury (Hg) transfer in Phaseolus vulgaris plants grown in soil with Hg-doped compost at the maximum levels permitted by Colombian law on organic amendments. Quantitative evaluation of transfer was made in different plant organs: roots, stem, leaves, pods and seeds. Matrix effect was determined in doped soil assays, using soil with and without addition of compost. Results showed that the use of organic matter reduced Hg transfer to the plant and the amount transferred was differentially distributed to the organs. We observed an inverse relationship between concentration and distance from the body to the root. It was evident that transfer was mediated by quantitative factors; the greater the presence of mercury in soil, the larger the amount that will be transferred. Results also indicate the remedial effect of compost and the presence of a barrier, at the root level, against mercury translocation to the plant aerial parts.     

Alkaloid concentration of the invasive plant species Ulex europaeus in relation to geographic origin and herbivory

In the study of plant defense evolution, invasive plant species can be very insightful because they are often introduced without their enemies, and traits linked to defense can be released from selective pressures and evolve. Further, studying plant defense evolution in invasive species is important for biological control and use of these species. In this study, we investigated the evolution of the defensive chemicals quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) in the invasive species gorse, Ulex europaeus. Using a common garden experiment, our goals were to characterize the role of QAs relative to specialist enemies of gorse and to investigate if QA concentration evolved in invaded regions, where gorse was introduced without these enemies. Our results showed that pod infestation rate by the seed predator Exapion ulicis and infestation by the rust pathogen Uromyces genistae-tinctoriae were negatively correlated to concentration of the QA lupanine. Quinolizidine alkaloid concentration was very variable between individuals, both within and among populations, but it was not different between native and invaded regions, suggesting that no evolution of decreased resistance occurred after gorse lost its enemies. Our study also suggests that QA concentrations are traits integrated into seed predation avoidance strategies of gorse, with plants that mass-fruit in spring but do not escape pod infestation in time being richer in QAs.     

Diet and environment 1.2 million years ago revealed through analysis of dental calculus from Europe’s oldest hominin at Sima del Elefante,Spain

Sima del Elefante, Atapuerca, Spain contains one of the earliest hominin fragments yet known in Europe, dating to 1.2 Ma. Dental calculus from a hominin molar was removed, degraded and analysed to recover entrapped remains. Evidence for plant use at this time is very limited and this study has revealed the earliest direct evidence for foods consumed in the genus Homo. This comprises starchy carbohydrates from two plants, including a species of grass from the Triticeae or Bromideae tribe, meat and plant fibres. All food was eaten raw, and there is no evidence for processing of the starch granules which are intact and undamaged. Additional biographical detail includes fragments of non-edible wood found adjacent to an interproximal groove suggesting oral hygiene activities, while plant fibres may be linked to raw material processing. Environmental evidence comprises spores, insect fragments and conifer pollen grains which are consistent with a forested environment.     

气温和土壤湿度变化对3种典型荒漠植物种子发芽的影响

植物种子发芽对气温和土壤湿度变化的响应是气候变化对荒漠生态系统影响的关键. 为了分析荒漠植物种子发芽对气温和土壤湿度变化的响应趋势,选择典型荒漠植物沙拐枣(Calligonum mongolica)、泡泡刺(Nitraria sphaerocarpa)和麻黄(Ephedra przewalskii),在人工气候箱中分析在3种土壤湿度(3%,5%和15%),2种气温(16 ℃/22 ℃ 和21 ℃/27 ℃)和浸种(12 h)与不浸种处理下种子的发芽趋势. 结果显示:沙拐枣和泡泡刺种子的发芽率随土壤湿度的增加而增加,浸种下随气温的升高其发芽率增幅比不浸种下大;不浸种下气温升高麻黄种子发芽率增幅比不浸种下大,浸种下土壤湿度为3%时气温升高其发芽率增幅比土壤湿度为5%和15%时大(P<0.05). 3种植物种子发芽指数随气温的升高和土壤湿度的增加而增加,不浸种下气温升高沙拐枣和泡泡刺种子的发芽指数显著增加,浸种下其发芽指数增幅不大;不浸种下气温升高麻黄种子发芽指数增幅较小,浸种下其发芽指数增幅较大. 3种植物种子均在培养初期发芽速率增加较快. 荒漠植物种子发芽受气温和土壤湿度的共同影响,不同植物种子发芽对这些因素的变化有不同的响应.      

融雪剂对园林植物种子萌发的影响

使用融雪剂是高纬度城市冬季除雪的主要措施之一,但融雪剂中含有的盐类物质可以对园林植物造成伤害。在此研究了融雪剂对刺（Robinia pseudoacacia）、万寿菊（Tagetes erecta）、矮紫薇（Lagerstroemia indiea’Petite pinkie＇）、草地早熟禾（Poa pratensis）、侧柏（Platycladus orientalis）种子发芽率和相对受害率的影响。试验结果表明：5种植物种子的发芽率随融雪剂浓度的升高而降低．相对受害率则随融雪剂浓度升高而增大。其中草地早熟禾种子时融雪剂最敏感,可以用草地早熟禾种子萌发为指示,间接检验融雪剂对植物的伤害程度。     

废弃尾矿库15种植物对重金属Pb、Zn的积累和养分吸收

在废弃的铅锌尾矿库进行人工植被恢复试验.对3年生15种植物重金属积累和养分吸收特性的研究表明,植物对土壤重金属和养分的吸收积累因植物种类、部位、金属种类和种植时间的不同而有显著差异.树木不同器官Pb质量浓度高低的总趋势为根〉叶〉茎,部分树种Zn质量浓度表现为叶〉根和茎;在15种参试植物中,加拿大紫荆根系Pb和Zn质量浓度均处于最高水平（分别为1 803 mg.kg-1和2 120 mg.kg-1）,盐肤木具有最高的茎枝Pb、叶片Pb和Zn质量浓度（分别为280、546和1 507 mg.kg-1）,旱柳具有最高的茎枝Zn质量浓度（729 mg.kg-1）和较高的叶片Zn质量浓度（1 153 mg.kg-1）.枫香、紫花苜蓿对Pb,旱柳、盐肤木、紫花苜蓿对Zn的转移系数TF值均〉1.植物Pb的富集系数BCF值均小于0.17,旱柳、盐肤木、紫花苜蓿Zn的BCF值达0.37～0.43.固氮植物体内N含量显著高于其它植物,火炬树、臭椿对P和夹竹桃对K的吸收积累能力强.随着种植时间的增加,植株体内有重金属质量浓度增加、营养元素含量下降的趋势.盐肤木、旱柳等重金属积累树种及紫穗槐、紫花苜蓿、截叶胡枝子、桤木等固氮植物在铅锌尾矿治理中具有应用前景.     

Plant development in the absence of epiphytic microorganisms

Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) are common residents of the roots, stems and leaves of higher plants. In order to explore the dependency of plant development on the presence of epiphytic microorganisms, the achenes (seeds) of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were sterilized and germinated under aseptic conditions. The sterility of the seedlings was determined with the agar impression method. In seedlings from non-sterile seeds (control) that were likewise raised in a germ-free environment, all plant organs investigated (stem, cotyledons and primary leaves) were contaminated with bacteria. Hypocotyl elongation was not affected by epiphytic microorganisms. However, the growth rates of the cotyledons and primary leaves were higher in sterile seedlings compared with the control. The implications of this differential inhibition of organ development by epiphytic bacteria that are transmitted via the outer surface of the seed coat are discussed. We conclude that epiphytes in the above-ground phytosphere are not necessary for the development of the sunflower seedling.     

Geographic variations in seed dispersal by ants: are plant and seed traits decisive?

The effect of local ant species on the dispersal success of a myrmecochorous plant, Helleborus foetidus, was analyzed in two populations of the Iberian Peninsula (Caurel and Cazorla, respectively). The contribution of the various local ant species to dispersal was very unequal. While 5 and 19 ant taxa visited the plants of Caurel and Cazorla, respectively, most removal activity (67 and 80%) was performed by two species only (Formica lugubris and Camponotus cruentatus, respectively). Visits by dispersers were also unequally distributed between neighboring plants. While some plants were always visited during the period of seed release, others were never visited. A regression model indicated that this pattern might be explained by two plant traits: ants preferred to visit plants that released more seeds and whose elaiosomes were richer in oleic acid. Although it has long been known that this compound triggers removal by ants, it is the first demonstration that quantitative variations in elaiosome traits contribute to variation in dispersal success. Finally, other variables being equal, morphological traits (seed size, elaiosome size, and elaiosome/seed size ratio) did not affect ant behavior. Although myrmecochory has long been considered a diffuse interaction, our results support the idea that, at local scale, a limited number of ant species may be decisive to its evolution.     

油田企业实施清洁生产审核工作的探讨

为了系统地、高效地开展好油田企业的清洁生产审核工作，针对石油行业的特点，结合清洁生产审核的基本要求，简要介绍清洁生产审核组织的建立、审核方法的运用、审核重点的把握等五个方面的内容。     

Climate change, aerobiology, and public health in the Northeast United States

The epidemiological implications with respect to climate change and public health (e.g., shifts in disease vectors) are beginning to be acknowledged. Less recognized however, are the potential links between climate, plant biology and public health. In addition to being affected by climate (e.g., temperature determines plant range), carbon dioxide (CO₂) represents the raw material needed for photosynthesis and its rapid increase in the atmosphere is expected to stimulate plant growth. While there are a number of means by which plant biology intersects with human health (e.g., plant nutrition), one of the most widely recognized is aerobiology; specifically, the ability of plants to both produce pollen and to serve as a substrate for molds/fungi (e.g., sporulation). The current review represents an initial attempt to coalesce what is known regarding the likely impacts of climate/CO₂ on plant pollen/fungal spores and associated allergic disease that are, or could be, specific to the Northeast United States. Although the current results indicate a number of potentially unfavorable effects, we wish to stress that the current data are based on a small number of experiments. Additional data are crucial to both reduce epidemiological uncertainty and to derive a robust set of mitigation / adaptation strategies.     

高等水生植物中镉的富集分配规律及危害

本文报道了四种水生植物——狐尾藻、水葫芦、紫背萍、荇菜对水体镉污染的反应和它们的净化作用。其结果是:植物的不同种类、不同器官、不同生态习性的不同镉富集量;水体镉浓度与植物的富集量之间有显著相关;富集系数因植物种和器官不同而异;随镉浓度的上升,叶细胞膜受损,叶绿素含量和叶绿素a/b比率下降;植物内部的破坏先于外部;植物的抗性顺序为水葫芦>狐尾藻>荇菜>紫背萍。作者认为水葫芦对水体镉污染具有较理想的净化作用,紫背萍则是较好的监测植物。     

贵阳市近郊不同人为干扰迹地土壤种子库与地上植被的关系

采用种子萌发试验对贵阳市乌当区马背山喀斯特次生林不同干扰迹地(弃耕干扰、火烧干扰和碎石堆积干扰)土壤种子库与地上植被的关系进行研究,结果显示:弃耕地、火烧地和碎石堆积地的地面植被的物种数和生活型比土壤种子库丰富,土壤种子库中乔木种类缺乏,以菊科、禾本科和豆科植物等草本植物占优势。3种干扰迹地地上植被物种丰富度指数、均匀度指数均大于土壤种子库,弃耕地土壤种子库的生态优势度指数大于地上植被,而碎石堆积地则小于地上植被。3种干扰迹地土壤种子库与地表植被的物种相似性系数分别为0.4000、0.4274和0.3556,表明不同人为干扰方式对地表植被和土壤种子库的影响程度不同。     

川西草原十字花科油料植物资源的研究和利用

首次对四川西部草原的野生十字花科油料植物资源作了比较系统的调查研究,收集植株和种子标本约12属20种。经过种子油分分析和引种观察,筛选出几种有特种用途且适应力较强的植物资源。这些植物资源是蕴藏量大的食用油料播娘蒿(Descurainia sophia)、菥蓂(Thlaspi arvense),高亚油酸的优质食用油料植物高蔊菜(Rorippa elata),高亚麻酸的工业用油料植物涩荠(Malcolmia africana)、独行菜(Lepidiumapetalum)等。可供进一步的开发利用。     

Assessing the bioremediation potential of arsenic tolerant bacterial strains in rice rhizosphere interface

The arsenic tolerant bacterial strains Staphylococcus arlettae(NBRIEAG-6), Staphylococcus sp.(NBRIEAG-8) and Brevibacillus sp.(NBRIEAG-9) were tested for their roles in enhancing plant growth and induction of stress-related enzymes in rice(Oryza sativa L. cv. NDR-359) plants at two different concentrations, 30 and 15 mg/kg of As(V) and As(III), respectively. An experiment was conducted to test the effect of these strains on plant growth promotion and arsenic uptake. We found 30%–40% reduction in total As uptake in bacteria-inoculated plants, with increased plant growth parameters compared to non-inoculated plants. Moreover, the bacteria-inoculated plants showed reduced activity of total glutathione(GSH) and glutathione reductase(GR) compared to their respective controls, which suggests the bacteria-mediated reduction of oxidative stress in plants. Thus, these strains were found to be beneficial in terms of the biochemical and physiological status of the plants under arsenic stress conditions.Furthermore, one-way ANOVA and principal component analysis(PCA) on enzymatic and non-enzymatic assays also revealed clear variations. The results support the distinction between control and treatments in both shoots and roots. Therefore, this study demonstrates the potential of rhizobacteria in alleviating arsenic stress in rice plants.     

Continuous Hair Cell Turnover in the Inner Ear Vestibular Organs of a Mammal, the Daubenton's Bat (Myotis daubentonii)

 In both humans and mice the number of hair cells in the inner ear sensory epithelia declines with age, indicating cell death (Park et al. 1987; Rosenhall 1973). However, recent reports demonstrate the ability of the vestibular sensory epithelia to regenerate after injury (Forge et al. 1993, 1998; Kuntz and Oesterle 1998; Li and Forge 1997; Rubel et al. 1995; Tanyeri et al. 1995). Still, a continuous hair cell turnover in the vestibular epithelia has not previously been demonstrated in mature mammals. Bats are the only flying mammals, and they are known to live to a higher age than animals of equal size. The maximum age of many species is 20 years, with average lifespans of 4–6 years (Schober and Grimmberger 1989). Further, the young are fully developed and able to fly at the age of 2 months, and thus the vestibular organs are thought to be differentiated at that age. Consequently, long-lived mammals such as bats might compensate for the loss of hair cells by producing new hair cells in their postembryonic life. Here we show that the utricular macula of adult Daubenton's bats (more than 6 months old) contains innervated immature hair cells as well as apoptotic hair cells, which strongly indicates a continuous turnover of hair cells, as previously demonstrated in birds. Received: 30 August 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 20 October 1999