4种烟嘧磺隆多元复配除草剂对意大利蜜蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性及初级风险评估

为明确4种烟嘧磺隆复配除草剂对意大利蜜蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性影响并评估其初级风险。采用饲喂法、点滴法和玻璃管药膜法,分别测定了8%烟嘧·氯吡嘧磺隆、16%烟嘧·硝磺·氯吡嘧磺隆、36%烟嘧·莠去津和22%烟嘧·氯吡·氯氟吡氧乙酸异辛酯对意大利蜜蜂成年工蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性,并分别采用危害商值和安全系数进行初级风险评估。结果表明,上述4种制剂对意大利蜜蜂成年工蜂的经口毒性48 h-LD_(50)(半致死剂量,median lethal dose)分别为68.03、1.60×10~2、1.40×10~2和100μg a.i.·蜂-1,接触毒性48 h-LD_(50)分别为18.53、53.01、89.98和100μg a.i.·蜂-1,危害商值均小于50,对意大利蜜蜂均为低毒且低风险。4种制剂对玉米螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性24 h-LR50(半致死用量,median lethal rate)分别为1.88×10~(-4)、5.46×10~(-4)、2.12×10~(-3)和1.68×10~(-3)mg a.i.·cm~(-2),安全系数分别为0.16、0.23、0.59和0.51,其中8%烟嘧·氯吡嘧磺隆和16%烟嘧·硝磺·氯吡嘧磺隆对玉米螟赤眼蜂为高风险性,36%烟嘧·莠去津和22%烟嘧·氯吡·氯氟吡氧乙酸异辛酯为中等风险性。因此,这4种复配制剂对蜜蜂成年工蜂的风险性较低,但对赤眼蜂的风险性较高,所以在喷洒防除期间应与赤眼蜂释放期错开。     

草莓蚜虫防治用药对蜜蜂的急性毒性与风险评价

为明确草莓蚜虫防治用药对蜜蜂的影响,按照《化学农药环境安全评价试验准则》和《化学品测试方法》要求测定了20%啶虫脒SP、10%氟啶虫酰胺WG和22%氟啶虫胺腈SC对意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)的急性毒性,并采用危害商值(HQ)法进行了风险评价。急性毒性结果显示:20%啶虫脒SP、10%氟啶虫酰胺WG和22%氟啶虫胺腈SC对蜜蜂的急性经口毒性试验结果(48 h-LD50值)分别为4.47μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)、11.2μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)和0.0601μg a.i.·蜂~(-1),对蜜蜂的急性接触毒性试验结果(48 hLD50值)分别为11.0μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)、13.9μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)和0.643μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)。按《化学农药环境安全评价试验准则》中毒性等级划分标准,20%啶虫脒SP、10%氟啶虫酰胺WG和22%氟啶虫胺腈SC对蜜蜂的毒性等级分别为中毒、低毒和高毒。风险评价结果表明,22%氟啶虫胺腈SC对蜜蜂存在中等风险(HQ值为1 622),20%啶虫脒SP和10%氟啶虫酰胺WG对蜜蜂的风险为低风险,其HQ值分别为40.3和6.70。因此,草莓生产中可优先选用10%氟啶虫酰胺WG来防治蚜虫,20%啶虫脒SP次之。而使用22%氟啶虫胺腈SC时,应注意采取措施降低其对蜜蜂的毒性风险,以免造成危害。     

肟菌酯对环境生物急性毒性及安全性评价

本试验通过研究肟菌酯对10种环境生物急性毒性效应,以期评价其对环境生物的毒性风险。结果表明,肟菌酯对日本鹌鹑(Coturnix coturnix japonica)的经口毒性7 d-LD50和短期饲喂毒性8 d-LC50分别大于2.00×103mg a.i.·kg-1bw和5.00×103mg a.i.·kg-1饲料,意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)接触与经口毒性48 h-LD50分别为大于100μg a.i.·蜂-1和95.3μg a.i.·蜂-1,家蚕(Bombyx mori)96 h-LC50为1.61×103mg a.i.·L-1,蚯蚓(Eisenia foetida)14 d-LC50大于100 mg a.i.·kg-1干土,赤眼蜂(Trichogramma japonicum)24 h-LR50为0.337μg a.i.·cm-2,羊角月牙藻(Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata)72 h-EC50为5.80×10-3mg a.i.·L-1,大型溞(Daphnia magna Straus)48 h-EC50为1.72×10-2mg a.i.·L-1,斑马鱼(Brachydanio rerio)96 h-LC50为5.40×10-2mg a.i.·L-1,非洲爪蟾(Xenopus laevis)蝌蚪96 h-LC50为8.95×10-2mg a.i.·L-1,土壤微生物28 d硝酸盐转化速率差异小于25%。因此,根据《化学农药环境安全评价试验准则》毒性等级划分标准,肟菌酯对鸟、蜜蜂、家蚕、蚯蚓等陆生生物为低毒,对水生生物的绿藻、大型溞、斑马鱼、非洲爪蟾蝌蚪均为高毒或剧毒,而对天敌赤眼蜂属高风险,故在田间使用过程中应采取措施降低其对水生生物以及天敌昆虫赤眼蜂急性毒性风险,以免造成危害。     

乙虫腈悬浮剂对新出房意大利蜜蜂的毒性研究

乙虫腈是在我国登记并广泛使用的氟虫腈替代药剂,其商品化制剂为拜尔公司研发的100 g·L~(-1)悬浮剂,目前关于乙虫腈制剂对非靶标生物的毒性研究少有报道。为探究乙虫腈制剂对蜜蜂的毒性作用,采用人工饲喂法分别测定了100 g·L~(-1)乙虫腈悬浮剂对新出房意大利蜜蜂的48 h急性和14 d慢性毒性作用。结果显示:乙虫腈悬浮剂对新出房意大利蜜蜂的48 hLC_(50)值为0.21 mg·L~(-1)(95%置信限0.16～0.26 mg·L~(-1)),相应的48 h-LD50为5.0×10~(-3)μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)(95%置信限1.0×10~(-3)～1.0×10~(-2)μg a.i.·蜂~(-1));在亚致死剂量下,蜜蜂死亡数量随暴露时间的延长而增多,且100 g·L~(-1)乙虫腈悬浮剂会引起蜜蜂显著的氧化应激反应,诱导抗氧化酶SOD和CAT活力、脂质过氧化产物MDA含量、解毒酶GST活力和底物GSH含量的显著变化。研究表明,乙虫腈悬浮剂对意大利蜜蜂毒性较高,即使在亚致死剂量下亦存在显著的影响。田间施用应防止药剂的漂移污染,并避免在作物花期施用;新出房意大利蜜蜂对药剂敏感,未来可探索其作为风险指示生物应用的可能。     

阿维菌素对意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)的毒性影响

通过单次饲喂高浓度阿维菌素药液以及连续饲喂亚致死浓度阿维菌素药液进行意大利蜜蜂的经口染毒,从而探讨阿维菌素对意大利蜜蜂的急性及慢性毒性影响。结果表明,阿维菌素对意大利蜜蜂急性经口毒性48 h半数致死剂量(48 h-LD50)为0.00700μg a.i.·蜂-1,慢性经口毒性240 h每日半数致死剂量(240 h-LDD50)为0.000308μg a.i.·蜂-1·天-1。在亚致死效应方面,0.0233 mg a.i.·L-1和0.0467 mg a.i.·L-1处理组在168 h后摄食量出现明显的减少,说明阿维菌素中毒已经严重影响意大利蜜蜂的觅食和摄食能力。同时,由于摄食量的下降以及阿维菌素的毒性作用,造成了0.0467 mg a.i.·L-1处理组意大利蜜蜂体重的大幅度下降,试验前后的体重变化率达到-54.84%。意大利蜜蜂爬行能力的测定结果显示,各处理组的爬行通过率均低于对照组,特别是0.0117 mg a.i.·L-1处理组、0.0233 mg a.i.·L-1处理组和0.0467 mg a.i.·L-1处理组(P0.05)。综上所述,阿维菌素对意大利蜜蜂的急性经口毒性为高毒,较高剂量染毒会引起意大利蜜蜂的直接死亡;此外,长期接触较低浓度的阿维菌素,一方面会损害意大利蜜蜂的运动能力,如爬行、飞行能力的减弱;另一方面意大利蜜蜂生理方面也会遭到威胁,表现为摄食量下降、体重减轻,甚至死亡。因此,在施用该农药时应尽量避开蜜蜂栖息地,同时避免在蜜源植株花期时施用。     

新烟碱类杀虫剂对蜜蜂的急性毒性及风险评价

为新烟碱类杀虫剂合理使用提供科学依据,本研究采用饲喂法和点滴法测定了9种新烟碱类杀虫剂对蜜蜂的急性毒性效应,且根据风险商值法进行了风险评价,氟啶虫酰胺和吡蚜酮作为对照药剂。试验结果表明:6种新烟碱类杀虫剂(噻虫胺、呋虫胺、吡虫啉、烯啶虫胺、氟啶虫胺腈和噻虫嗪)对蜜蜂经口和接触毒性的48 h-LD50值为1.73×10-3(1.37×10-3~2.45×10-3)~35.3×10-2(30.5×10-2~41.4×10-2)μg·蜂-1,均属于高毒级;其次为氯噻啉,该药剂对蜜蜂经口和接触毒性的48 h-LD50值为56.4×10-2(40.9×10-2~95.5×10-2)和2.05(1.13~3.18)μg·蜂-1,分别为高毒和中毒;而啶虫脒和噻虫啉对蜜蜂经口和接触毒性的48 hLD50值为2.57(1.94~3.75)~9.85(8.23~11.6)μg·蜂-1,为中毒级。对照药剂氟啶虫酰胺和吡蚜酮对蜜蜂经口和接触毒性的48h-LD50值均100μg·蜂-1,为低毒级。风险评价结果表明:噻虫胺、呋虫胺、吡虫啉、噻虫嗪、氯噻啉、烯啶虫胺和氟啶虫胺腈对蜜蜂具有不可接受的风险,啶虫脒、噻虫啉和对照药剂氟啶虫酰胺、吡蚜酮对蜜蜂的风险可接受。因此,在害虫综合治理中,应谨慎使用新烟碱类杀虫剂,以免对蜜蜂产生严重的毒副作用。     

毒死蜱对紫金山森林土壤酶活力及微生物毒性影响研究

毒死蜱是有机磷类农药,对乙酰胆碱酯酶具有抑制作用,在农业虫害防治中应用广泛。为掌握毒死蜱对森林土壤酶活力和土壤微生物生态效应,选择紫金山森林土作为受试土壤,采用室内培养法,研究了毒死蜱对土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶,以及土壤呼吸强度和氮素硝化作用的影响。结果表明:试验期间,1.25 mg a.i.·kg-1、12.5 mg a.i.·kg-1和125 mg a.i.·kg-1毒死蜱对土壤脲酶、酸性磷酸酶总体表现为抑制作用;对土壤蔗糖酶和过氧化氢酶的影响与暴露剂量和暴露时间有关,在60 d时,Z1低剂量处理组(1.25 mg a.i.·kg-1)蔗糖酶和过氧化氢酶可恢复,Z100高剂量处理组(125 mg a.i.·kg-1)抑制作用不能解除。试验初期,毒死蜱对土壤呼吸强度有一定刺激作用随后逐渐恢复;对土壤氮硝化作用影响表现为先促进后抑制,且抑制作用有长期影响。由此可知,毒死蜱使用对紫金山森林土的土壤酶活性和土壤微生物产生毒性效应,具有一定生态风险。     

氟虫腈对意大利蜜蜂工蜂幼虫及幼龄工蜂的亚致死效应

蜜蜂是重要的授粉昆虫,亦是重要的环境污染指示生物.氟虫腈对蜜蜂剧毒,Pesticide Properties Data Base (PPDB)数据库中登记的其对蜜蜂的急性经口及接触半数致死剂量(LD50)分别为0.00417 μg·蜂-1和0.00597 μg·蜂-1,正因为对非靶标生物的毒性较高,其使用也受到了限制,目前仅用于卫生害虫防治和一些旱田作物的土壤处理等.尽管有关氟虫腈对蜜蜂的危害已有一些报道,但有关其对蜜蜂幼虫和幼龄工蜂的亚致死作用研究仍较为缺乏,鉴于此,本文以意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)的工蜂幼虫和新出房工蜂(＜24 h)为研究对象,采用人工饲喂重复染毒法,分别测定了10-3、10-2、0.1、1和10 μg·L-1的氟虫腈对工蜂幼虫的21d慢性毒性和1、5和10 μg·L-1的氟虫腈对新出房工蜂7d和14d的慢性毒性.结果 表明,与对照相比,10-3～ 10 μg·L-1范围内的氟虫腈可以使幼虫化蛹率显著降低20.83％ ～ 47.91％ (P＜0.05),羽化率显著降低25.00％ ～ 43.72％(P＜0.05);对于幼龄工蜂,1μg·L-1和5 μg·L-1氟虫腈暴露7d和14d时蜜蜂死亡率均＜10％;10 μg ·L-1氟虫腈暴露7d时,死亡率＜20％,当暴露时间延长至14 d时,成蜂死亡率高达(65.0± 17.7)％ (P＜0.0001),显著高于对照组,这说明氟虫腈对蜜蜂具有一定的时间累积毒性(time reinforced toxicity,TRT).此外,通过对蜜蜂幼虫和工蜂体内抗氧化酶(超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT))、解毒酶谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)酶活力及谷胱甘肽(GSH)、脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量的测定结果表明,氟虫腈暴露可显著提高幼虫体内CAT的酶活力和MDA含量(P＜0.05),但GST的酶活力显著降低(P＜0.01);而成蜂在经过处理后,体内CAT和GST的酶活力、GSH的含量均会显著降低(P＜0.05),这说明亚致死剂量的氟虫腈可干扰蜜蜂机体稳态,引发蜜蜂幼虫和成蜂显著的氧化损伤,从而危害蜜蜂健康.氟虫腈具有较强的内吸特性和环境稳定性,作物种子处理或卫生施用依然可能导致其在花粉、土壤和水体中的痕量级残留,本研究中发现氟虫腈对蜜蜂幼虫和成蜂生存及各生理指标的最低可观察效应浓度(LOEC)可低至10-5 μg·L-1和10 μg·L-1,相关结果可以补充低残留浓度下氟虫腈蜜蜂风险评价数据的不足,为未来氟虫腈的安全用药指导提供参考.     

林丹、毒死蜱对淡水藻类毒性效应的比较研究

有机氯和有机磷农药是全球应用最广泛的两大类农药,以有机氯农药林丹以及有机磷农药毒死蜱为研究对象,比较了它们对长江中下游常见的3种淡水藻类包括铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)、普通小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)和梅尼小环藻(Cyclotella meneghiniana)的毒性效应。通过藻类生长抑制试验测定了林丹和毒死蜱对藻类的毒性效应,结果表明,林丹和毒死蜱对3种藻的生长存在不同程度的抑制效应,且质量浓度越高,抑制效应越强,其中低质量浓度的毒死蜱对铜绿微囊藻和普通小球藻具有一定的促进作用。实验还获得了两种农药对3种不同藻类的急慢性毒性数据,以96 h生物量计,林丹对铜绿微囊藻的EC50=442μg·L-1,LOEC=120μg·L-1,NOEC=60μg·L-1,MATC=85μg·L-1;对普通小球藻的EC50=524μg·L-1,LOEC=128μg·L-1,NOEC=61μg·L-1,MATC=88μg·L-1;对梅尼小环藻的EC50=11 849μg·L-1,LOEC=1 295μg·L-1,NOEC=406μg·L-1,MATC=725μg·L-1。毒死蜱对铜绿微囊藻的EC50=2 720μg·L-1,LOEC=1 026μg·L-1,NOEC=615μg·L-1,MATC=794μg·L-1;对普通小球藻的EC50=5 374μg·L-1,LOEC=1 978μg·L-1,NOEC=1 172μg·L-1,MATC=1 522μg·L-1;对梅尼小环藻的EC50=11 109μg·L-1,LOEC=2 792μg·L-1,NOEC=1 355μg·L-1,MATC=1 945μg·L-1。结果表明,林丹和毒死蜱对3种藻的生长存在不同程度的抑制效应。毒性数据显示相比于梅尼小环藻,铜绿微囊藻和普通小球藻对两种农药更为敏感。     

煤矿型城市城区居民人发中汞的空间分布特征及影响因素分析

为了解淮南市不同城区居民人发中Hg分布特征和影响当地居民人体Hg富集的因素。在淮南市市区选择68名正常状态下的居民头发,用氢化物发生-原子荧光法测定人发中总汞含量。结果显示:淮南市市区居民人发中Hg的平均浓度为(0.390±0.173)μg·g~(-1),Hg浓度主要分布于0~0.5μg·g~(-1)较低浓度区间内,占总样品数的77.94%;市区内人发中Hg平均浓度呈现出谢家集(0.468±0.144μg·g~(-1))>潘集(0.384±0.199μg·g~(-1))>田家庵(0.377±0.176μg·g~(-1))>大通(0.373±0.116μg·g~(-1));不同性别上,当地男性头发中Hg的平均含量为(0.436±0.188)μg·g~(-1),显著高于女性的(0.343±0.146)μg·g~(-1)(P=0.021<0.05);不同年龄段内,40~60岁年龄段居民头发中Hg平均含量最高,达0.445μg·g~(-1);不同工作、生活环境上,淮南市居民头发中Hg平均含量呈现出矿区>过渡区>对照城区,其Hg平均含量分别达(0.466±0.174)、(0.380±0.167)、(0.304±0.151)μg·g~(-1),矿区居民人发中Hg含量分别高出过渡区与对照城区居民人发Hg含量达22.6%和53.3%。相比较美国国家环境保护局提出的人发中Hg的参考剂量1μg·g~(-1),淮南市城区居民人发中Hg含量较低。但是对比非矿业活动区,矿区居民人发中Hg含量显著高于对照城区居民(P=0.0098<0.01),过渡区居民人发中Hg含量与矿区和对照城区差异性均不明显。     

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     

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.     

Importance of greater interdisciplinarity and geographic scope when tackling the driving forces behind biological invasions

Invasive non-native species are important drivers of ecosystem change, yet the driving forces of biological invasions themselves are poorly understood. Such information is essential to ensure policies focus on the most relevant drivers, and that future scenarios capture the full range of potential outcomes for invasive non-native species. I carried out a bibliometric analysis of articles published from 2000 to 2020 that address either invasive non-native species or biodiversity and ecosystem services and that also mention 1 or more drivers of ecosystem change. I examined 5 indirect drivers (demographic, economic, governance, sociocultural, and technological) and 6 direct drivers (climate change, invasive non-native species, land-use or sea-use change, natural hazards, pollution, and resource extraction). Using the Web of Science core collection of citation indexes, I undertook searches of article titles and keywords and retrieved 27,462 articles addressing invasive non-native species and 110,087 articles dealing with biodiversity or ecosystem services. Most research to date on biological invasions as well as on biodiversity and ecosystem services has focused on anthropogenic direct drivers of ecosystem change rather than indirect drivers. Yet currently, less than 18% of articles addressing biological invasions examined drivers of ecosystem change, a similar level to that found over 20 years ago for biodiversity or ecosystem services. Knowledge of the drivers of biological invasions is limited, emphasizes tractable drivers over those that require an interdisciplinary approach, and is biased toward developed economies. Drivers generally deemed important for biological invasions, such as governance and resource extraction, accounted for less than 2% of research effort. The absence of a systematic understanding of the forces that drive invasive non-native species and how they interact means that attempts to mitigate or forecast biological invasions are likely to fail. To address biological invasions requires a much better orientation of national and international research on drivers in relation to both their actual importance as well as their policy relevance.     

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.     

Mitigating the effects of climate change on the nests of sea turtles with artificial irrigation

For sea turtles, like many oviparous species, increasing temperatures during development threaten to increase embryonic mortality, alter offspring quality, and potentially create suboptimal primary sex ratios. Various methods are being implemented to mitigate the effects of climate change on reproductive success, but these methods, such as breeding programs, translocations, and shading, are often invasive and expensive. Irrigation is an alternative strategy for cooling nests that, depending on location, can be implemented relatively quickly and cheaply. However, multiple factors, including ambient conditions, nest substrate, and species characteristics, can influence irrigation success. Additionally, irrigation can vary in duration, frequency, and the volume of water applied to nests, which influences the cooling achieved and embryonic survival. Thus, it is critical to understand how to maximize cooling and manage risks before implementing irrigation as a nest-cooling strategy. We reviewed the literature on nest irrigation to examine whether artificial irrigation is feasible as a population management tool. Key factors that affected cooling were the volume of water applied and the frequency of applications. Embryonic responses varied with species, ambient conditions, and the timing of irrigation during development. Nest inundation was the key risk to a successful irrigation regime. Future irrigation regimes must identify clear targets, either primary or adult sex ratios, that maximize population viability. Monitoring population responses and adjusting the irrigation regime in response to population characteristics will be critical. Most studies reported on the manipulation of only one or two variables, further research is required to understand how altering multiple factors in an irrigation regime influences the cooling achieved and embryonic responses.     

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.     

Positive and Negative Effects of a Threatened Parrotfish on Reef Ecosystems

Species that are strong interactors play disproportionately important roles in the dynamics of natural ecosystems. It has been proposed that their presence is necessary for positively shaping the structure and functioning of ecosystems. We evaluated this hypothesis using the case of the world's largest parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), a globally imperiled species. We used direct observation, animal tracking, and computer simulations to examine the diverse routes through which B. muricatum affects the diversity, dispersal, relative abundance, and survival of the corals that comprise the foundation of reef ecosystems. Our results suggest that this species can influence reef building corals in both positive and negative ways. Field observation and simulation outputs indicated that B. muricatum reduced the abundance of macroalgae that can outcompete corals, but they also feed directly on corals, decreasing coral abundance, diversity, and colony size. B. muricatum appeared to facilitate coral advancement by mechanically dispersing coral fragments and opening up bare space for coral settlement, but they also damaged adult corals and remobilized a large volume of potentially stressful carbonate sediment. The impacts this species has on reefs appears to be regulated in part by its abundance—the effects of B. muricatum were more intense in simulation scenarios populated with high densities of these fish. Observations conducted in regions with high and low predator (e.g., sharks) abundance generated results that are consistent with the hypothesis that these predators of B. muricatum may play a role in governing their abundance; thus, predation may modulate the intensity of the effects they have on reef dynamics. Overall our results illustrate that functionally unique and threatened species may not have universally positive impacts on ecosystems and that it may be necessary for environmental managers to consider the diverse effects of such species and the forces that mediate the strength of their influence. Efectos Positivos y Negativos de un Pez Loro Amenazado Sobre Ecosistemas Arrecifales     

Form-specific fragances fromOphrys insectifera L. (Orchidaceae) attract species of different pollinator genera. Evidence of sympatric speciation?

Two closely related forms ofOphrys insectifera were observed in the field to attract different pollinator species selectively.O. i. ssp.insectifera attracted males of two species ofArgogorytes (Sphecidae, Hymenoptera Aculeata) andO. i. ssp.aymoninii attractedAndrena combinata males (Andrenidae, Apoidea, Hymenoptera Aculeata). A third form,O. aff.i. ssp.insectifera, attracted none of these three species. Volatile compounds from flowers and inflorescences of the three forms (originating from Öland, Sweden, and Aveyron, France) were collected, using entrainment, enfleurage, and solvent extraction techniques, and identified by gas chromatography — mass spectrometry. Scent differences between the three forms were confirmed in the amounts of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C₁₁–C₁₉), methyl esters (C₁₄–C₁₈), short chain aliphatic 1-alcohols (C₆–C₁₂), and monoterpene alcohols (C₁₀).     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

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.