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。     

三唑醇杀菌剂对雄性丽斑麻蜥性腺系统的对映选择性影响

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,其中,对映体A包括A1(R,S)和A2(S,R),对映体B包括B1(R,R)和B2(S,S)。三唑醇被认为是一种潜在的内分泌干扰物,能够影响生物体内雌雄激素的合成。为了研究三唑醇不同对映体和外消旋体对爬行动物性腺系统影响的差异,以雄性丽斑麻蜥为实验动物,将外消旋体和4种对映体(100 mg·kg~(-1)bw)分别经口暴露给雄性蜥蜴28 d。外消旋体和(R,S)对映体暴露后蜥蜴的性腺体细胞指数(GSI)明显低于对照组。(S,R)、(R,S)和(S,S)显著抑制了性腺中性激素合成相关基因(cyp119a、cyp11a、cyp17、hsd-3β、hsd-17β、erα和ar)的表达量,同时降低了血液中睾酮(T)和雌二醇(E2)含量。(R,R)暴露对丽斑麻蜥体内的雌雄激素水平无明显影响。此外,相关性分析表明,外消旋体对性腺中性激素合成相关基因的影响与(R,S)具有较强的相关关系,说明(R,S)可能是外消旋体中生物活性和毒性最高的单体。研究表明,三唑醇对丽斑麻蜥性腺系统的毒性作用具有明显的对映选择性,这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。     

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。     

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。     

叶菌唑对斑马鱼的急性毒性及生物富集效应

为评价杀菌剂叶菌唑对水生生态系统的影响,以斑马鱼(Brachydanio rerio)为试验生物,采用半静态法研究了叶菌唑原药对斑马鱼的急性毒性以及生物富集效应。结果表明,95%叶菌唑原药对斑马鱼96 h的半数致死浓度(96 h-LC_(50))为3.89 mg·L~(-1),选用在3.90×10~(-1)和3. 90×10~(-2)mg·L~(-1)这2个处理浓度下连续暴露8 d,在3. 90×10~(-1)mg·L~(-1)浓度下生物富集系数(BCF)为53.3;在3.90×10~(-2)mg·L~(-1)浓度暴露下生物富集系数(BCF8d)为26.2。根据《化学农药环境安全评价试验准则》毒性划分标准,叶菌唑原药属于中等富集性农药。研究结果为叶菌唑田间安全使用提供理论依据。     

微囊藻毒素-LR对雄性黑斑蛙精巢中CYP46A1,CYP2H2和CYP2G1 mRNA表达的影响

微囊藻毒素-LR(microcystin-LR,MC-LR)是分布最广泛和毒性最强的一种微囊藻毒素,对水生动物造成潜在的健康威胁。大量科学研究证实,动物体中的细胞色素P450酶(CYP)参与内源性物质及外源毒性物质的代谢过程。为探究两栖动物生殖器官中的CYP酶对低剂量MC-LR生殖毒效应的调节作用,选择雄性黑斑蛙(Rana nigromaculata)为受试动物,采用静态置换法和体内暴露方法,分别暴露于0、0.1、1和10μg·L~(-1)MC-LR溶液0、7和14 d;用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测精巢中CYP46A1、CYP2H2和CYP2G1的mRNA表达水平。结果表明,暴露于0.1、1和10μg·L~(-1)MC-LR 14 d后,CYP46A1在mRNA水平分别上调了1.86、1.65和1.22倍,CYP2H2在mRNA水平分别上调了4.62、1.80和1.04倍,CYP2G1的mRNA水平分别上调了2.63、2.16和1.56倍。MC-LR在1μg·L~(-1)剂量下暴露7 d后,CYP46A1、CYP2H2和CYP2G1 mRNA水平均出现显著上调。上述研究表明,微囊藻毒素对黑斑蛙精巢3种CYP基因在mRNA水平上都存在低剂量刺激效应。低剂量MC-LR能诱导黑斑蛙精巢中CYP46A1转录水平变化,促进胆固醇转化为24S-羟化胆固醇,潜在破坏雄性黑斑蛙精巢中胆固醇水平的平衡; MC-LR也能够诱导精巢中CYP2H2和CYP2G1转录水平的变化,潜在调节CYP2H2和CYP2G1转录水平,进而影响MC-LR的代谢作用。     

利用毒代动力学模型研究氟虫腈在夹杂带丝蚓体内的手性选择性积累过程

农药的生物积累直接影响其毒性,但是手性农药在生物体内的选择性积累过程仍不明确.本文在恒定环境水浓度的条件下,开展手性农药氟虫腈的外消旋体及其对映体在底栖无脊椎动物夹杂带丝蚓体内的生物积累实验.在96 h和72 h的吸收和消除实验过程中,测定生物体内的氟虫腈的外消旋体和对映体浓度随时间的变化情况,构建毒代动力学模型,获取吸收和消除速率常数.结果表明夹杂带丝蚓对R-氟虫腈的生物浓缩因子(1981 L·kg~(-1)脂肪)比对S-氟虫腈(1748 L·kg~(-1)脂肪)更大.R-氟虫腈和S-氟虫腈的吸收速率常数相当,分别为311±11 L·kg~(-1)脂肪·h~(-1)和313±13 L·kg~(-1)脂肪·h~(-1),而R-氟虫腈的消除速率常数小于S-氟虫腈,分别为0.157±0.006 h~(-1)和0.179±0.008 h~(-1),因此相对较慢的消除是导致R-氟虫腈在夹杂带丝蚓体内更高生物积累的主要原因.研究说明毒代动力学参数可有效阐释手性外源物质在生物体内选择性积累的差异.     

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.     

多氯联苯暴露对食蚊鱼CYP19ɑ 和VTGɑ 基因的表达及骨骼形态雄性化的影响

应用食蚊鱼细胞色素P450芳香化酶基因(CYP19%)和卵黄蛋白原基因(VTG%)m RNA转录水平为指标,研究微量多氯联苯(PCBs)长时间暴露对成年雌性食蚊鱼CYP19%基因和VTG%基因表达的影响,并评价其对雌性食蚊鱼产生的形态雄性化效应。采用静水暴露实验模式,分别设置0.08、0.4、2和10μg·L-1PCBs浓度,并设置对照组和平行组,定量测定14 d和28 d性腺CYP19%和肝脏VTG%m RNA表达水平的变化,以及对椎体脉棘发育的影响。暴露实验结果显示:1各PCBs浓度组(0.08、0.4、2和10μg·L-1PCBs)暴露均能抑制食蚊鱼CYP19%和VTG基因的表达,表明PCBs对食蚊鱼VTG%基因的抑制远大于对食蚊鱼CYP19%基因的抑制;20.4μg·L-1PCBs暴露显著地降低了食蚊鱼第15椎体脉棘的长度并降低第15、16椎体脉棘的L/D值,显示食蚊鱼出现骨骼形态雄性化,表明一定浓度的PCBs暴露会表现出抗雌激素效应。     

急性铜胁迫对海陆蛙蝌蚪抗氧化效应及金属解毒能力的影响

海陆蛙(Fejervarya cancrivora)是红树林半咸水生境中唯一的两栖动物,为了解铜离子(Cu2+)对该蝌蚪的毒性效应,测定了Cu2+对海陆蛙蝌蚪(38-39期)96 h内半数致死浓度LC50;在此基础上,模拟其野外生存环境,分别设计3个铜暴露组(Cu SO4含量分别为80、160、300μg L-1)和对照组,检测海陆蛙蝌蚪在Cu2+暴露24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h后抗氧化能力、乙酰胆碱酯酶(ACh E)活性及金属硫蛋白(MT)表达量的变化。结果显示,海陆蛙蝌蚪对Cu2+24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h LC50分别为5.69、3.37、1.34、0.95 mg L-1。在急性胁迫试验中,各暴露组蝌蚪体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、ACh E活性以及MT表达均被抑制,在同一暴露时间下,处理组SOD、ACh E活性和MT含量显著低于对照组;而在Cu2+胁迫下,蝌蚪体内脂质过氧化反应加剧,表现为丙二醛(MDA)含量显著增多,且染毒浓度越大、暴露时间越长,MDA含量越多。除ACh E外,其他指标组染毒时间与浓度间具有显著的互作效应。本研究表明海陆蛙可作为红树林生境质量评价的指示物种,其中SOD、ACh E活性及MDA含量可作为重金属Cu2+毒性效应评估较敏感的评价指标。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.