不同强度冷应激下仔猪淋巴细胞HSP70 mRNA的转录规律

采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测仔猪血液淋巴细胞HSP70 mRNA的转录量,探讨不同冷应激强度对淋巴细胞HSP70 mRNA转录量的影响.结果表明,仔猪在-10~-4℃冷暴露0.5h,淋巴细胞HSP70 mRNA的转录量迅速升高(P<0.05),并一直保持高水平至6h(P<0.05),随后下降,冷暴露结束后24h恢复正常.在4~10℃冷暴露前后,淋巴细胞HSP70 mRNA转录量无明显变化(P>0.05).结果提示,冷暴露温度越低,淋巴细胞中HSP70 mRNA转录越迅速,但冷暴露结束进入常温后HSP70 mRNA转录水平再次升高的时间延后;HSP70 mRNA转录呈现规律性变化,可以考虑把HSP70 mRNA优先作为评估不同冷应激的客观指标.表1图1参14     

冷应激对断乳仔猪ACTH及皮质醇的影响

断乳仔猪在-3~3℃低温条件下冷暴露24h,然后在15~18℃室温条件下恢复,检测血浆促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)和皮质醇的动态变化.结果表明,仔猪血浆中ACTH和皮质醇含量随冷暴露时间延长而逐渐升高,冷应激6h时,ACTH含量高于冷应激前的水平(P<0.05);冷应激12h时,ACTH和皮质醇含量与冷应激前比较均有极显著升高(P<0.01);冷应激24h时,两激素含量与冷应激前无显著差异.终止冷暴露后0.5h,ACTH和皮质醇含量均高于冷应激前水平(P<0.05,P<0.01);3h时两激素水平基本恢复正常,但6h时两激素水平再次升高(P<0.01),呈波动性变化.表1参10     

不同强度冷刺激对大鼠心脏、大脑、睾丸和肺脏中CIRP表达的影响

采用Western blot和实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法,研究不同强度不同时间冷刺激后大鼠心脏、大脑、睾丸和肺脏中冷诱导RNA结合蛋白(CIRP)的表达情况.结果表明:常温(20℃±1℃)下大鼠4种组织中均存在一定的CIRP的表达;急性冷刺激组(-10℃±1℃、-4℃±1℃、0℃±1℃、4℃±1℃)心脏、大脑和睾丸中CIRP mRNA表达在冷刺激0～6 h呈上升趋势,6 h时达到最高值,随后呈下降趋势,肺脏中CIRP mRNA表达在0～6 h呈下降趋势,在6 h时达到最低值,随后呈上升趋势;慢性冷应激组(10℃±1℃)大鼠心脏、大脑和睾丸3种组织中CIRP mRNA在不同时间点(1周、2周、3 W周)的表达均高于正常对照组(P>0.05),肺脏CIRP mRNA表达均低于对照组(P>0.05),并且同一组织不同时间点之间差异不显著(P>0.05).可见冷刺激后CIRP的表达存在一定规律并且表现出组织特异性,可能与组织保护特异性有关.     

应激大鼠脾脏内诱导型一氧化氮合酶活性变化及其意义

在捕食压力下,大鼠脾脏诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)明显表达,说明iNOS起到了重要的生理功能,然而,NOS的表达及在亚细胞水平的定位以及相应的差异变化等都很不明确,本试验采用捕食应激模型,利用免疫组织化学方法和生化测定,检测心理性应激对大鼠脾脏iNOS活性的影响及探讨这种影响与应激动物免疫力下降之间的关系.结果表明iNOS免疫阳性细胞表达部位集中于脾脏的红髓和边缘区,白髓中几乎没有.与对照组相比,在应激1~12d的过程中,应激组大鼠脾脏内iNOS的活性逐渐升高,至d12最为显著(P<0.01).但在后期应激13~30d,脾内iNOS的表达又逐渐减少.生化测定结果表明,NOS和NO的含量变化与iNOS的活性变化相似,在心理性应激早中期较高,至d12最为显著(P<0.01),而到中后期则逐渐降低.结果提示,iNOS活性程度与动物心理应激程度密切相关;应激过程中大鼠脾脏内由于iNOS的活性增加导致产生过量的NO,这可能与应激导致大鼠免疫力下降有关.图1表2参10     

内质网应激在PFOS致大鼠肝损伤中的作用

通过全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)28 d大鼠经口染毒评价PFOS肝损伤效应,探讨内质网应激在PFOS毒效应中的作用。Wistar大鼠随机分组,分别以0 mg·kg~(-1)、5 mg·kg~(-1)和10 mg·kg~(-1)PFOS灌胃染毒28 d。HE染色观察大鼠肝脏形态改变。ELISA法测定各组丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和淀粉酶(AMY)含量变化。紫外分光光度法测定肝组织匀浆中丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性变化。RT-PCR检测肝脏内质网应激标志蛋白表达水平。结果表明,PFOS造成大鼠体重降低、肝重增高(P0.05),组织切片显示肝细胞出现脂质沉积。PFOS不同剂量组大鼠ALT随暴露浓度增加,分别为(50.96±10.02)U·L~(-1)、(71.73±11.55)U·L~(-1),显著高于对照组(P0.05),AST、ALP含量与对照组相比显著上升(P0.05),高剂量组AMY水平为(833.46±63.05)U·L~(-1),与对照组相比显著降低(P0.05)。GSH-Px和SOD水平随PFOS浓度增加出现了显著降低(P0.05),而MDA水平显著升高(P0.05)。内质网应激标志蛋白表达均较对照组显著上升(P0.05)。以上结果说明PFOS可导致大鼠肝细胞损伤,其机制可能与内质网应激调控有关。     

淡水双壳类背角无齿蚌AwHSP70基因克隆及多溴联苯醚-47对其表达的影响

热休克蛋白(HSP)参与蛋白质折叠、细胞膜转位和错误折叠蛋白质降解等过程,提高动物对环境的应激能力和适应能力。前期研究表明,多溴联苯醚-47(PBDE-47)对背角无齿蚌具有显著的氧化应激和急性毒性效应,为探讨PBDE-47慢性毒性效应;将背角无齿蚌随机分为对照组和PBDE-47处理组,处理组用3.36μg·L~(-1)浓度的PBDE-47进行处理,对照组用相同体积的二甲亚砜进行处理;克隆出AwHSP70基因,分析PBDE-47对AwHSP70表达的影响。结果显示,AwHSP70具有HSP70家族的标签序列,广泛分布于斧足、鳃、肝胰脏、闭壳肌、心脏、血淋巴和外套膜。PBDE-47处理可导致肝胰脏、鳃和血细胞中AwHSP70 mRNA水平显著升高。与对照组相比,PBDE-47处理组肝胰脏中AwHSP70 mRNA水平在1～15 d内增加2. 79倍(P<0.01)以上;鳃中AwHSP70 mRNA水平增加3.06倍(P<0.01)以上;血淋巴中AwHSP70表达增加1.81倍(P<0.05)以上。背角无齿蚌上调AwHSP70表达有助于增强动物对PBDE-47的耐受能力。     

近江牡蛎(Crassostrea hongkongensis)热休克蛋白70对壬基酚的响应

以β-actin为内参基因,采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(PCR)技术,检测不同时间(12、24、48、96和192h)不同浓度(0.01、0.1、1、10、100、300μg·L-1)壬基酚(NP)处理下近江牡蛎(Crassostrea hongkongensis)鳃、外套膜和消化腺中HSC70和HSP70基因mRNA的表达水平。结果显示,0.01μg·L-1NP能诱导近江牡蛎鳃和消化腺中HSC70和HSP70基因显著高表达(P0.05)。随着NP处理浓度的升高,其表达水平逐渐升高,处理一定时间后100μg·L-1NP诱导近江牡蛎HSC70和HSP70基因表达量显著高于300μg·L-1NP诱导表达量(P0.05)。HSC70基因在鳃和消化腺中显著高表达峰值出现在96 h时,在外套膜中出现在48 h时;HSP70基因在鳃中显著高表达峰值出现在48 h时,在外套膜和消化腺中出现在24 h时。可见,近江牡蛎HSC70和HSP70基因对NP具有显著反应性。     

低盐度胁迫对鲻鱼(Mugil cephalus)幼鱼鳃丝、肌肉、肠Na~+-K~+-ATP酶活性和MDA含量的影响

在实验室条件下,将驯化后的鲻鱼(Mugil cephalus)幼鱼〔体长(3.37±0.19)cm,体质量(0.36±0.02)g〕分别放在盐度为20(CK)、15、10、5和0的水体中饲养20 d,检测不同盐度和不同时间(试验0、5、10、15和20 d)鲻鱼幼鱼鳃丝、肌肉和肠3种组织中Na+-K+-ATP(NKA)酶活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果表明,在正常生长环境盐度(CK)下鲻鱼幼鱼鳃丝、肠NKA酶活性及MDA含量均明显高于肌肉。在受到低盐度胁迫时不同组织的响应程度不同,鳃丝和肠NKA酶活性变化幅度高于肌肉,而MDA含量的变化则恰好相反。0~10 d时,处理组鲻鱼幼鱼鳃丝、肠道和肌肉NKA酶活性均显著高于对照组(P0.05),表明一定范围的低盐度(0~15)环境能激活和提高鲻鱼幼鱼NKA酶活性,增强其对低盐度环境的适应能力。0~5 d时,处理组3种组织内MDA含量均显著高于对照组(P0.05),且MDA含量总体随盐度降低而升高。随试验时间延长,试验组NKA酶活性以及MDA含量均降低并趋于稳定,与对照组之间差异减小,表现出较强的盐度适应能力,但NKA酶活性和MDA含量恢复到对照组水平所需时间与组织有关,具有组织器官的特异性和时序性。     

亚硝酸盐急性胁迫对中华绒螯蟹幼体相关免疫指标和应激蛋白(HSP70)表达的影响

为探讨亚硝酸盐急性胁迫对中华绒螯蟹机体免疫力的影响,以及机体在胁迫过程中的应对策略,分别测定了幼蟹(平均体重3.25 g)在10、20、30、40 mg L-1亚硝酸盐暴露组和对照组中血细胞总数(Total hemocyte counts,THC)、超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide dismutase,SOD)活力、丙二醛(Malodiadehyde,MDA)含量以及热休克蛋白70(Heatstress protein 70,HSP70)表达量在受胁迫2 d内的动态变化.结果表明:1)低浓度亚硝酸盐(10 mg L-1)胁迫组THC在胁迫3 h时显著高于对照组,肝胰腺中SOD活性在胁迫3 h和6 h时亦显著提高,表现出一定的"毒物兴奋效应".2)但随着暴露时间的延长和亚硝酸盐浓度的升高,幼蟹THC减少,肝胰腺SOD活性下降,而MDA含量升高.3)对照组中有少量的HSP70表达.幼蟹经10、20 mg L-1亚硝酸盐处理后,鳃组织中HSP70表达量在胁迫6 h后达到最大,而经30、40 mg L-1亚硝酸盐处理后,HSP70表达量在胁迫3 h后达到最大.各浓度组所诱导的HSP70最大表达量与水中亚硝酸盐的浓度呈正相关.以上结果说明亚硝酸盐胁迫可通过加剧组织中脂质过氧化的方式导致机体免疫力下降,肝胰腺中MDA的含量变化可作为亚硝酸盐胁迫的有效评价指标之一,而HSP70表达量的变化可作为早期预警指标应用于亚硝酸盐胁迫评价中.图2表1参36     

冷应激对健康雏鸡某些内分泌活动的影响

以罗曼雄性雏鸡为试验对象,研究5d和10d龄健康雏鸡在低于正常饲养温度条件下,在一定时间内机体某些代谢激素的变化规律,结果表明：（1）5d龄雏鸡在两种低温情况下,血清三碘甲腺原氨酸（T3）变化显著,在冷应激最初几h内,T3先下降,至6h（15±1℃）和12h（10±1℃）又升高;血清四碘甲腺原氨酸（T4）变化不明显,在10±1℃情况下,在12h时显著降低;胰岛素（Ins）在两种低温情况下,均于2h时显著升高,而后呈波动性变化,（2）10d龄雏鸡在15℃±1℃条件下,T3在0．5～3h显著下降,至6h回升;T4在2h时显著升高（P＜0．05）;Ins在2h时升高（P＞0．05）,但3h时显著降低,而后又回升（3）血清皮质醇浓度均于冷应激后2h时有所升高,但差异不显著,而后呈波动性变化．     

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.     

Use of stochastic patch occupancy models in the California red-legged frog for Bayesian inference regarding past events and future persistence

Assessing causes of population decline is critically important to management of threatened species. Stochastic patch occupancy models (SPOMs) are popular tools for examining spatial and temporal dynamics of populations when presence–absence data in multiple habitat patches are available. We developed a Bayesian Markov chain method that extends existing SPOMs by focusing on past environmental changes that may have altered occupancy patterns prior to the beginning of data collection. Using occupancy data from 3 creeks, we applied the method to assess 2 hypothesized causes of population decline—in situ die-off and residual impact of past source population loss—in the California red-legged frog. Despite having no data for the 20–30 years between the hypothetical event leading to population decline and the first data collected, we were able to discriminate among hypotheses, finding evidence that in situ die-off increased in 2 of the creeks. Although the creeks had comparable numbers of occupied segments, owing to different extinction–colonization dynamics, our model predicted an 8-fold difference in persistence probabilities of their populations to 2030. Adding a source population led to a greater predicted persistence probability than did decreasing the in situ die-off, emphasizing that reversing the deleterious impacts of a disturbance may not be the most efficient management strategy. We expect our method will be useful for studying dynamics and evaluating management strategies of many species.