增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异癸酯致小鼠肺组织氧化损伤作用

探究邻苯二甲酸二异癸酯(diisodecyl phthalate,DIDP)对小鼠肺组织的氧化损伤。以BALB/c小鼠为受试动物,随机分为7组,包括1个阴性对照组(生理盐水)、4个DIDP染毒组(0.15,1.5,15,150 mg·kg~(-1))、1个维生素E(100 mg·kg~(-1))组和1个高剂量DIDP(150 mg·kg~(-1))加维生素E(100 mg·kg~(-1))组,灌胃染毒14 d。处死小鼠,制备肺组织匀浆样品,以化学荧光法检测活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)含量,以分光光度试剂盒法检测还原型谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)的含量、以硫代巴比妥酸(TBA)法检测丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)的含量、以酶联免疫吸附(EILSA)试剂盒法检测8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine,8-OHdG)的含量,同时观察肺组织的病理变化与荧光染色结果。随着DIDP染毒剂量的升高,肺组织的ROS、MDA、8-OHdG含量逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,各指标呈一定的剂量-效应关系。染毒剂量为15 mg·kg~(-1)时,ROS、GSH、8-OHdG含量差异有统计学意义(P 0.05,P 0.01);染毒剂量为150 mg·kg~(-1)时,上述指标差异均有统计学意义(P 0.05,P 0.01)。小鼠肺组织HE染色和荧光染色观察结果表明,随着DIDP染毒剂量的增加,小鼠肺细胞的病理损伤越严重。与150 mg·kg~(-1)DIDP剂量组比较,150 mg·kg~(-1)DIDP+维生素E组的ROS、MDA和8-OHdG含量均有下降,GSH含量上升(P 0.05,P 0.01);小鼠肺组织病理损伤减轻。以上结果说明,较高剂量(≥15 mg·kg~(-1))的DIDP能造成小鼠肺组织的氧化损伤,维生素E对其损伤有拮抗作用。     

增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯致小鼠肺细胞氧化损伤作用的研究

为研究增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯(diisononyl phthalate,DINP)对小鼠肺组织的氧化损伤作用,以昆明小鼠为受试动物,随机分为5组,包括1个阴性对照组(生理盐水)和4个DINP染毒组(0.2、2、20和200 mg·kg~(-1)),灌胃14 d。光镜下发现小鼠肺组织形态随染毒剂量的增加,小鼠肺细胞的病理损伤越严重。随着DINP染毒剂量的增加,肺组织匀浆活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量和肺组织细胞DNA-蛋白质交联(DNA-protein crosslink,DPC)系数逐渐上升,还原型谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)含量逐渐降低,各指标呈一定的剂量-效应关系。染毒剂量为20 mg·kg~(-1)时,ROS和MDA含量差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01);染毒剂量为200 mg·kg~(-1)时,上述指标差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。结果表明,较高剂量(≥20 mg·kg~(-1))的DINP能造成小鼠肺组织的氧化损伤和病理损伤。     

增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯对雄性小鼠生殖毒性的氧化损伤机制

研究增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯(diisononyl phthalate,DINP)对雄性小鼠生殖毒性的氧化损伤机制,以昆明雄性小鼠为受试动物,随机分为7组,包括空白对照组(生理盐水),4个DINP暴露组(0.2、2、20和200 mg·kg~(-1))和褪黑素(melatonin,Mel)对照组50 mg·kg~(-1)、Mel处理组(200 mg·kg~(-1)DINP+50 mg·kg~(-1)Mel),灌胃14 d。以睾丸组织匀浆测定活性氧(ROS)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-OHdG)含量;以睾丸组织细胞测定DNA-蛋白交联(DPC)系数。随着DINP暴露剂量的增加,DINP暴露组睾丸组织ROS、8-OHdG含量和DPC系数逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01); Mel处理组ROS、8-OHdG含量和DPC系数相应降低,GSH含量逐渐上升。雄性小鼠睾丸组织形态观察结果表明,随着DINP暴露剂量的增加,小鼠睾丸组织的病理损伤程度呈上升趋势。实验结果表明,较高剂量(≥20 mg·kg~(-1))的DINP能造成小鼠睾丸组织的病理损伤和氧化损伤,50 mg·kg~(-1)Mel的抗氧化能力可以有效对小鼠睾丸组织起保护作用,使组织损伤减轻,即生殖毒性减弱。     

邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯致小鼠肾组织氧化损伤的研究

邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯是一种新型替代增塑剂,对其毒性研究已受到广泛关注。为探究邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯对肾组织的氧化损伤作用,将昆明小鼠随机分为5组,包括1个阴性对照组、4个邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯染毒组,按0.5、5、50和500 mg·kg-1四个剂量水平灌胃染毒14天。制备小鼠肾组织切片进行病理学观察,以肾组织匀浆测定活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)、还原型谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)和8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine,8-OHd G)的含量,以肾组织细胞悬液测定DNA-蛋白质交联(DNA-protein Crosslink,DPC)系数。随着邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯染毒剂量的升高,小鼠肾组织的损伤程度加重,ROS、MDA、8-OHd G含量和DPC系数逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,各指标均呈一定剂量-效应关系。染毒剂量为5 mg·kg-1时,ROS、DPC系数差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01);染毒剂量为50 mg·kg-1和500 mg·kg-1时,ROS、GSH、8-OHd G、MDA含量和DPC系数差异均有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01)。结果表明较高剂量(≥50 mg·kg-1)邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯可造成小鼠肾组织氧化损伤。     

邻苯二甲酸二丁酯对KM小鼠神经行为学的影响及芒果苷的拮抗作用

探究邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)对小鼠神经行为学影响的剂量-反应关系,以及芒果苷(MAG)的拮抗作用。36只性成熟雄性KM小鼠随机分为4组:(1)生理盐水组,(2) 5 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组,(3) 25 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组,(4)125 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组,实验周期28d。应用国际通用的高架十字迷宫(EPM)和旷场实验(OFT)检测DBP暴露后KM小鼠的神经行为学变化;通过脑组织病理学切片,检测KM小鼠的靶组织脑海马CA1区病理变化;通过测定活性氧(ROS)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)、DNA-蛋白质交联系数(DPC),检测KM小鼠的脑海马组织氧化损伤水平。以MAG作为抗氧化剂,36只KM小鼠随机分为4组:(1)生理盐水组,(2) 50 mg·kg~(-1)MAG组;(3) 125 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组;(4) MAG+DBP组,进行神经行为测试,同时评估各组KM小鼠脑海马组织氧化损伤。与对照组比较,随着DBP暴露剂量的升高,125 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组KM小鼠进入开放臂次数减少,停留时间偏短,运动距离较短,运动轨迹偏离中央区域;脑海马CA1区锥体神经细胞排列紊乱,细胞形态肿胀变形,树突缩短甚至消失;且脑系数下降,ROS、MDA含量及DPC系数逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,且差异均有统计学意义(P0.05, P0.01);加入拮抗剂MAG处理后,与125 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组比较,MAG+DBP组小鼠神经行为学出现一定程度的缓解,脑海马CA1区病理程度减轻,脑系数上升,ROS、MDA含量及DPC系数出现一定程度的下降,GSH含量出现一定程度的上升,且差异均有统计学意义(P0.05, P0.01)。DBP所致小鼠的神经行为学变化可能与脑海马组织的氧化损伤有关; MAG可通过降低小鼠脑组织氧化应激水平,对DBP暴露所致的小鼠神经行为学影响起到一定的保护作用。     

运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二噁英持续暴露大鼠肝脏氧化应激的影响

为探索运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二噁英(2,3,7,8-TCDD)持续暴露大鼠肝脏氧化应激的影响,本研究将7周龄雄性SD大鼠适应性喂养1周后,随机分为对照(NC)、运动对照(EC)、染毒1(NT1)、运动染毒1(ET1)、染毒2(NT2)、运动染毒2(ET2)、染毒3(NT3)、运动染毒3(ET3)、染毒4(NT4)及运动染毒4(ET4)共10组。染毒组(NTs、ETs)腹腔注射TCDD(溶于玉米油),对照组及各染毒组首次剂量依次为0、0.4、1.6、6.4、25.6μg·kg~(-1)(以单位体重计),之后每周给予上述剂量的21%作为维持剂量,持续染毒8周;运动组尾部负重5%游泳,每周5 d,每次30 min。实验结束取材,测定血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、肝组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性及丙二醛(MDA)、活性氧(ROS)含量。结果显示:1)染毒可升高各染毒组大鼠血清AST活性及NT4组大鼠血清ALT活性,增加NT2、NT3组肝脏MDA含量,而降低NT1、NT2组大鼠血清ALT活性;2)运动可升高大鼠血清AST及ALT活性,增加大鼠肝组织GSH-Px活性;3)运动可升高染毒大鼠血清AST活性(T1剂量),降低染毒大鼠血清ALT活性(T1剂量),降低染毒大鼠血清AST活性(T3剂量),升高染毒大鼠血清ALT活性(T3、T4剂量),增加染毒大鼠肝组织SOD活性(T2、T3剂量)、CAT活性(T1、T2、T3剂量)及GSH-Px活性(T2、T3、T4剂量),降低染毒大鼠肝组织MDA含量(T2、T3、T4剂量)及ROS含量(T1、T3剂量)。结果表明,2,3,7,8-TCDD持续暴露8周可引起大鼠肝细胞氧化应激损伤,并产生剂量依赖效应;而有氧运动可增加2,3,7,8-TCDD持续暴露(T2、T3剂量)大鼠肝组织抗氧化酶活性,有效降低氧化应激损伤而减轻肝毒性。     

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。     

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。     

邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)与卵清白蛋白(OVA)联合染毒对小鼠肺脏和脾脏组织的氧化应激

为研究邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(dibutyl phthalate,DBP)单独染毒及与卵清白蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)联合染毒对小鼠肺脏和脾脏组织氧化应激的作用,将BALB/c小鼠随机分为8组:(1)未处理对照组(生理盐水组);(2)0.5 mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(3)50 mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(4) 50 mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(5) 1.67 mg·kg-1OVA单独染毒组;(6) 0.5 mg·kg-1DBP与1.67 mg· kg-1OVA联合染毒组;(7) 5.0 mg·kg-1 DBP与1.67 mg·kg-1 OVA联合染毒组;(8) 50 mg· kg-1 DBP与1.67 mg·kg-1 OVA联合染毒组.未处理对照组和DBP染毒组每天按体质量给予生理盐水和DBP灌胃.2周后,测定肺脏组织活性氧物种(ROS)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和丙二醛(MDA)含量以及脾脏组织ROS、GSH含量.结果显示,联合染毒组相较于其他组的肺脏组织各指标均有不同的显著性差异(P＜0.05),联合染毒组的脾脏组织中ROS含量较其他组有显著差异(P＜0.05),而GSH含量无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结果说明,DBP与OVA联合染毒能够增强肺脏组织的氧化应激作用,对于脾脏组织的氧化应激作用不明显;DBP在联合染毒中显示一定免疫佐剂效应.     

邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)与卵清白蛋白(OVA)联合染毒对小鼠肺脏和脾脏组织氧化应激的作用

为研究邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(dibutylphthalate,DBP)单独染毒及与卵清白蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)联合染毒对小鼠肺脏和脾脏组织氧化应激的作用,将BALB/c小鼠随机分为8组:(1)未处理对照组(生理盐水组);(2)0.5mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(3)5.0mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(4)50mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(5)1.67mg·kg-1OVA单独染毒组;(6)0.5mg·kg-1DBP与1.67mg·kg-1OVA联合染毒组;(7)5.0mg·kg-1DBP与1.67mg·kg-1OVA联合染毒组;(8)50mg·kg-1DBP与1.67mg·kg-1OVA联合染毒组。未处理对照组和DBP染毒组每天按体质量给予生理盐水和DBP灌胃。2周后,测定肺脏组织活性氧物种(ROS)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和丙二醛(MDA)含量以及脾脏组织ROS、GSH含量。结果显示,联合染毒组相较于其他组的肺脏组织各指标均有不同的显著性差异(P<0.05),联合染毒组的脾脏组织中ROS含量较其他组有显著差异(P<0.05),而GSH含量无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结果说明,DBP与OVA联合染毒能够增强肺脏组织的氧化应激作用,对于脾脏组织的氧化应激作用不明显;DBP在联合染毒中显示一定免疫佐剂效应。     

Effect of a popular Middle Eastern food (Falafel) on rat liver

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term consumption of oil and frying oil extracted from falafel patties, and then to study the long-term effect of consumption of falafel patties on rat liver gross morphology and serum liver enzymes. The frying oil quality was assessed using thiobarbituric acid reaction on rat liver homogenate. Frying oil and oil extracted from falafel patties were administered to male Wistar albino rats via gavage for 5 days. Blood samples were collected and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and bilirubin levels were determined. Livers were weighed and gross morphology was assessed. For the long-term effect of falafel consumption, rats were fed falafel patties for 30 days, and then blood samples were collected and assayed for the above-mentioned parameters. Short-term consumption of falafel extracts and frying oil did not cause any significant difference in the liver function tests and liver gross morphology. Whereas, long-term consumption of falafel patties caused a significant increase in ALP, ALT, bilirubin level and increased liver weight/body weight ratio denoting hepatotoxicity. This indicates that consumption of large amounts of falafel on daily basis might lead to hepatotoxicity.     

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