纳米氧化锌对美国红鱼肝细胞的毒性效应及机制

纳米氧化锌(ZnO NPs)的广泛应用所引发的环境与健康风险备受关注。为探究ZnO NPs对水生生物的毒性影响,以美国红鱼的原代肝细胞为实验对象,通过MTT法和中性红摄取(NRU)法检测细胞存活率,以评估ZnO NPs的细胞毒性;美国红鱼肝细胞经ZnO NPs处理6 h后,检测肝细胞内丙二醛(MDA)含量,并用流式细胞仪检测细胞对ZnO NPs的吞噬、胞内活性氧(ROS)的释放以及细胞凋亡率的变化。结果表明,美国红鱼肝细胞暴露于37.5μg·mL~(-1)和50μg·mL~(-1)ZnO NPs 6h后,细胞存活率较对照组显著降低,且ZnO NPs的毒性具有浓度和时间依赖性。研究表明,ZnO NPs进入细胞后,细胞内ROS产量增加,引起氧化应激,诱导细胞凋亡。     

四溴双酚A对人体正常肝细胞毒性效应及作用机制

四溴双酚A(TBBPA)作为目前用量最大的一种溴系阻燃剂,在含TBBPA用品的生产、使用和废弃处置过程中,能够通过多种途径进入环境介质,造成持久性污染,危害生态系统和人体健康.为探明TBBPA对人体健康的潜在毒性效应及作用机制,选取人体正常肝细胞L02作为模型,通过分析暴露后细胞形态、存活率、胞内活性氧(ROS)含量、DNA损伤及细胞凋亡等变化.结果表明,TBBPA暴露导致L02细胞形态发生明显改变、存活率显著降低,细胞彗星实验拖尾现象明显增强;随着暴露浓度的升高,L02细胞胞内ROS含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量和氧化型谷胱甘肽/还原型谷胱甘肽(GSSG/GSH)比值均呈现剂量依赖性增加.40μmol·L-1暴露条件下胞内ROS含量升高3.1倍;20 μmol·L-1和40 μmol·L-1暴露条件下,细胞凋亡率分别增加了32倍和4.8倍.推测TBBPA暴露对L02细胞的毒性效应作用机制为,暴露引起细胞氧化应激水平升高,ROS升高再引起DNA损伤程度增强,最终导致细胞凋亡率增加.上述研究结果将为评估TBBPA的毒性效应和健康风险提供科学依据.     

纳米银和PVP包被纳米银对HepG2细胞遗传毒性的比较研究

为了探讨纳米银对HepG2细胞DNA损伤、染色体畸变等遗传毒性指标的影响,以期为纳米银体外遗传毒性评价提供参考依据,本文采用2种纳米银材料(20 nm-PVP包被纳米银、20 nm-无包被纳米银),分别以20μg·mL~(-1)、40μg·mL~(-1)、80μg·mL~(-1)、160μg·mL~(-1)的剂量对HepG2细胞染毒24 h,用Hoechst-33258染色法检测细胞凋亡,彗星实验检测DNA损伤,胞质分裂阻滞微核细胞组学试验法检测染色体畸变。结果表明,20 nm Ag NPs组在160μg·mL~(-1)时引起细胞凋亡数显著增多(P0.05);20 nm PVP-Ag NPs组在80μg·mL~(-1)和160μg·mL~(-1)剂量组中细胞凋亡数显著增多(P0.01)。2种纳米银引起HepG2细胞发生细胞凋亡,并呈剂量效应关系。彗星试验结果表明,20 nm Ag NPs和20 nm PVP-Ag NPs在40μg·mL~(-1)、80μg·mL~(-1)、160μg·mL~(-1)剂量组中,Olive尾矩、尾长和尾部DNA百分比与空白对照组相比均有显著差异(P0.05)。2种纳米银对HepG2细胞DNA损伤程度为:20 nm Ag NPs20 nm PVP-Ag NPs。胞质分裂阻滞微核细胞组学试验结果表明,2种纳米银均不会引起核质桥数发生明显改变(P0.05),20 nm Ag NPs在高染毒剂量下引起微核总数、I型微核、II型微核、核芽数明显升高(P0.05);20 nm PVP-Ag NPs在各染毒剂量下均会引起微核总数及I型微核数量升高(P0.01),II型微核数在160μg·mL~(-1)剂量下升高明显(P0.01),剂量大于20μg·mL~(-1)时核芽数升高(P0.01)。20 nm PVP-Ag NPs对细胞核的影响大于20 nm Ag NPs(P0.05)。总之,2种纳米银材料均会引起HepG2细胞DNA损伤及染色体畸变等遗传毒性效应的改变,无包被纳米银比PVP包被纳米银更容易引起DNA损伤,PVP包被纳米银比无包被纳米银更容易引起细胞染色体畸变相关效应;2种材料对HepG2细胞的损伤存在浓度-效应关系,浓度越高遗传毒性损伤越严重。     

重组人金属硫蛋白-Ⅲα短肽对UVB致HaCaT细胞氧化损伤的缓解作用

利用体外自由基清除实验研究重组人金属硫蛋白Ⅲα短肽(rh-MT-Ⅲα)自由基清除能力,建立紫外线B(UVB)损伤HaCaT细胞模型,使用不同浓度rh-MT-Ⅲα(25～200μg·mL-1)处理损伤的HaCaT细胞24 h后观察细胞存活率、细胞形态、细胞凋亡及细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平,从细胞水平上评价rh-MT-Ⅲα对UVB致HaCaT细胞氧化损伤的作用.体外自由基清除实验结果显示,随着rh-MT-Ⅲα浓度升高,其对1,1-二苯基-2-苦苯肼(DPPH)自由基清除率也随之增加,清除率为50％时所需rh-MT-Ⅲα浓度(IC50)为184.32μg·mL-1.抗光氧化损伤实验结果显示,rh-MT-Ⅲα可有效提高UVB损伤后HaCaT细胞的存活率、改善细胞形态并显著降低细胞凋亡及细胞内ROS含量,且在100μg·mL-1时修复作用最为明显.实验结果表明rh-MT-Ⅲα具有较强自由基清除能力,可有效缓解UVB诱导的HaCaT细胞氧化损伤,且在100μg·mL-1剂量下作用显著.     

邻苯二甲酸丁基苄酯致神经细胞氧化损伤

为探究邻苯二甲酸丁基苄酯(butyl benzyl phthalate,BBP)对小鼠神经的毒性作用,进行了小鼠体外毒理学研究。首先用不同浓度的邻苯二甲酸丁基苄酯染毒神经模型细胞—N2a神经瘤细胞,通过噻唑蓝比色法(MTT),Hoechst 33258染色实验评价邻苯二甲酸丁基苄酯的细胞毒效应;通过对染毒细胞氧自由基(ROS)、丙二醛(MDA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量的检测来探究BBP对小鼠神经瘤细胞的氧化损伤效应。随着BBP浓度的不断增高,细胞的MTT值逐渐变小,当BBP的浓度达到10 g·L-1时,MTT实验结果与对照组出现显著性差异;Hoechst 33258染色结果显示:高浓度的BBP导致细胞核呈现出不规则状态,出现了凋亡小体;随着BBP染毒浓度的升高N2a细胞中的ROS水平和MDA含量逐渐上升,分别在0.16 g·L-1和10 g·L-1开始与对照组相比出现了显著性的差异(p0.05);而GSH系数呈现下降趋势,在0.32 g·L-1时开始出现显著性差异(p0.05)。实验结果表明高浓度的邻苯二甲酸丁基苄酯可以导致神经瘤细胞的凋亡,并产生氧化损伤效应。     

过敏症状儿童室内PM_(2.5)对小鼠巨噬细胞的氧化损伤及VE的抗氧化保护作用研究

越来越多的研究提示,主要空气污染物PM_(2.5)暴露浓度的升高与儿童过敏性疾病的发病率有着密切的关系,然而PM_(2.5)暴露与过敏性疾病之间的关联尚未完全阐明。为探究患有过敏症状儿童的室内PM_(2.5)对小鼠巨噬细胞的氧化损伤作用以及维生素E(vitamin E,VE)的抗氧化保护作用,从5户患有1种或1种以上的过敏性症状(如过敏性鼻炎、哮喘)儿童的室内采集PM_(2.5),分别考察了不同剂量PM_(2.5)暴露24 h后如何影响小鼠巨噬细胞的氧化应激水平,指标包括活性氧(ROS),还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH),丙二醛(MDA),8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-OH-dG),以及炎症因子水平,指标包括肿瘤坏死因子ɑ(TNF-ɑ),白介素8β(IL-8β)的影响。结果表明,200μg·mL~(-1)PM_(2.5)暴露组与对照组比较,细胞内ROS积累,出现脂质过氧化以及DNA损伤,并伴有炎症反应的发生,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05或P0.01);VE(50 mg·mL~(-1))+200μg·mL~(-1)PM_(2.5)组的ROS、MDA、8-OHdG、TNF-ɑ、IL-8β含量低于200μg·mL~(-1)PM_(2.5)组,GSH含量高于200μg·mL~(-1)PM_(2.5)组。较高剂量(200μg·mL~(-1))PM_(2.5)可诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞出现氧化损伤,VE在该应激过程中起着一定的保护作用。     

重组人金属硫蛋白-Ⅲα短肽毒性效应的初步研究

研究重组人金属硫蛋白Ⅲα短肽(rh-MT-Ⅲα)致HaCaT细胞、L929细胞和秀丽隐杆线虫(Caenorhabditis elegans,C.ele-gans)毒性效应,为rh-MT-Ⅲα的安全应用提供实验基础.细胞暴露于不同浓度的rh-MT-Ⅲα溶液(0～400μg·mL-1),24h后检测细胞存活率和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性,观察细胞形态并检测细胞凋亡情况.结果表明,各剂量组2种细胞的存活率,与对照组相比均无显著性差异,细胞形态也未观察到显著变化.在400μg·mL-1浓度下,LDH释放率明显增加,细胞凋亡率上升.线虫实验中,将线虫培养并同步化至L1期后进行染毒,剂量为5、50和500 μg·mL-1,暴露48 h后检测其运动行为(头部摆动和身体弯曲频率)、发育(体长)及摄食行为(咽泵频率),各指标均未有明显改变.研究表明,在一定的剂量水平下,rh-MT-Ⅲα对HaCaT细胞、L929细胞和秀丽隐杆线虫无明显毒性效应.     

亚砷酸钠对酵母细胞抗氧化酶活性和脂质过氧化的影响

以模式生物酿酒酵母为材料,研究亚砷酸钠对细胞生长、抗氧化酶活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及胞内活性氧(ROS)水平的影响。结果显示,加入亚砷酸钠(终浓度0.1~0.6 mmol·L~(-1))后,培养液在600 nm处的光密度值(OD600值)低于对照组,并呈浓度依赖性降低。经亚砷酸钠处理12 h后,酵母细胞中过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)活性均增高,但胞内ROS水平和MDA含量与对照组无显著差异。砷处理24 h后,POD在0.2 mmol·L~(-1)砷处理组中活性最高,而CAT、SOD和T-AOC活性呈浓度依赖性增高;胞内ROS水平和MDA含量在高浓度砷组(0.4和0.6 mmol·L~(-1))显著增高。结果表明,亚砷酸钠可抑制酵母细胞生长,改变细胞内抗氧化酶活性,较高浓度时可引起细胞氧化损伤。     

微囊藻毒素对束丝藻细胞生长和抗氧化系统的影响

为从活性氧(ROS)角度探讨微囊藻毒素(MC)导致藻类细胞死亡的机理及揭示藻细胞对MC诱发的氧化胁迫的响应机制,采用50和500μg·L-1的微囊藻毒素LR(MC-LR)处理束丝藻(Aphanizomenon sp. DC01)细胞,测定了细胞生长、细胞内活性氧(ROS)含量及抗氧化系统的变化.结果表明,50μg·L-1的MC-LR处理对藻细胞的生长无显著影响,而500μg·L-1的MC-LR处理可诱导藻细胞死亡.50μg·L-1的MC-LR处理的藻细胞ROS含量在处理第2d显著高于对照;但藻细胞能通过还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性改变修复氧化损伤,使ROS水平在处理第3d恢复到对照水平.500μg·L-1的MC-LR处理可显著降低藻细胞GSH含量和SOD与GPX活性,刺激藻细胞生成过量的ROS;ROS在毒素处理4d后突然暴发,过量的ROS引起膜质过氧化,并最终导致藻细胞死亡。     

姜黄素调控p53蛋白入核诱导骨髓瘤细胞凋亡

为探讨姜黄素对小鼠骨髓瘤细胞核内p53蛋白含量的影响及其凋亡作用,体外培养P3X63Ag8细胞,给予不同浓度姜黄素处理(0、10、20、30、40、50μmol/L)24 h,通过还原性辅酶Ⅰ氧化法测定乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性、Caspase3荧光分析试剂盒检测Caspase3活性的变化,采用2’,7’-二氯荧光黄双乙酸盐(DCFH-DA)法检测细胞活性氧(ROS)量的变化,利用Western-Blot技术检测细胞质与细胞核中p53蛋白的分布情况.结果显示,姜黄素浓度为20μmol/L时,P3X63Ag8细胞LDH活性极显著升高(P 0.01),并在40μmol/L组达到顶峰.30μmol/L姜黄素处理后,Caspase-3活性极显著提高(P 0.01),其余姜黄素处理组与未处理组相比未呈现显著变化.与阴性对照组相比,当姜黄素浓度为30μmol/L时细胞内活性氧水平显著上升(P 0.01),而随着姜黄素浓度提高到40和50μmol/L,细胞内活性氧水平均开始极显著下降(P 0.01),且高浓度组下降程度高于中浓度组.从细胞质和细胞核蛋白分离的试验结果可以看出,在细胞质蛋白中,p53蛋白含量随着姜黄素浓度的增加而降低,与此相反,细胞核蛋白中p53蛋白含量则呈现了上升趋势.因此,姜黄素通过调控LDH活性、Caspase-3活性以及活性氧水平来促进细胞损伤,从而抑制骨髓瘤细胞P3X63Ag8的增殖,促进其凋亡;在蛋白水平上促进p53蛋白入核,从而进一步刺激细胞凋亡程序的启动.(图4参25)     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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     

Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia

As drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland where cashmere‐producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3‐fold increase in local profits for herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica).That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4‐fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)in trans‐Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China's Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), khulan(Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic‐level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere. Globalización del Mercado de Cachemira y la Declinación de Mamíferos Mayores en Asia Central     

The lichen-rich coastal heath vegetation on the isle of Anholt, Denmark — conservation and management

The high conservational value of the lichen-rich vegetation and landscape of the marine foreland Ørkenen on the isle of Anholt is treated from a Danish as well as a European perspective. The sensitivity of the lichen-rich vegetation to physical disturbance is emphasized. The impact of invasive species such asPinus mugo as well as the effect of atmospheric deposition of nutrients on the heaths at Anholt is described. Considerations related to the development of a management plan for Ørkenen are presented.     

Behavior and ecology of Old World Luperini beetles of the genusAulacophora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Summary The attraction of Old World leaf beetles in the genusAulacophora to kairomones and parakairomones which are effective lures for New WorldDiabrotica andAcalymma were investigated. Beetles captured on sticky traps baited with single and multicomponent lures were no different from the control traps for two species ofAulacophora. Yellow colored traps and squash blossoms are attractive toAulacophora beetles which detect sub-microgram quantities of cucurbitacins on silica gel. Leaf feeding behavior and flight activity data are correlated with varietal preference of threeAulacophora species. The common response byDiabrotica andAulacophora to cucurbitacins reinforces the two groups' coevolutionary association with the Cucurbitaceae. The apparent lack of a common response toCucurbita blossom volatiles suggests recent evolutionary pathways are substantially different for these two groups of beetles.     

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.