一种新的好氧反硝化菌筛选方法的建立及新菌株的发现

利用间歇曝气富集,氰化钾(KCN)选择培养基筛选好氧反硝化的细菌,通过形态学特征、生理生化反应及16SrDNA同源性比较对筛得菌株进行鉴定,并对其好氧反硝化相关基因napA进行扩增并测序比较.筛选到一株可以柠檬酸钠为碳源,硝酸钾为氮源,进行好氧反硝化的细菌.在溶解氧(DO)为(9.0±0.5)mg/L的培养基中,该菌株5 d内将硝态氮由282.0 mg L-1降解至149.2 mg L-1,其硝态氮去除率为46.47 ng mg-1min-1,同时亚硝态氮仅有少量的积累.经鉴定,初步判定它为假单胞菌属,命名为Pseudomonas sp.Y2-1-1.从其基因组中扩增出与好氧反硝化相关的周质硝酸盐还原酶(NAR)的亚基napA基因,并与已报道的napA基因进行Blast比较,发现具有较大差别.利用间歇曝气富集,氰化钾(KCN)选择培养基筛选好氧反硝化的细菌是非常有效的.初步认为Pseudomonas sp.Y2-1-1是一株新的好氧反硝化菌.图6表3参12     

珠江河口湿地沉积物中耐盐硝化细菌的筛选及其河口硝化特性研究

为缓解河口水域氮污染,对珠江河口不同湿地类型沉积物中的硝化细菌进行分离和盐度驯化,筛选出耐盐且硝化效率较高的菌株,通过菌株形态、生理生化和16Sr DNA基因分析对其进行鉴定,分别测定菌株在不同温度、pH、接种量和不同沉积物质量下的硝化效率。将硝化细菌与湿地耐盐植物芦苇(Phragmites australis)组合,研究硝化细菌、芦苇及两者组合系统在河口不同盐分和水动力条件下的硝化特性,以期为河口水域咸潮入侵时和入侵后氮污染的修复奠定基础。结果表明,3种典型湿地芦苇、互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)和光滩沉积物中硝化细菌的数量分别为2.1×10~5、1.8×10~5和0.5×10~5cells·g~(-1),净硝化速率分别为(0.41±0.02)、(0.35±0.03)、(0.12±0.02)mg·m~(-2)·d~(-1),硝化作用强度:芦苇区互花米草区光滩区。从芦苇湿地沉积物中筛选出1株高效硝化细菌L4,经鉴定,为亚硝化单胞菌属(Nitrosomonas communi)。菌株L4在盐度从5‰上升至20‰寸,硝化效率从80.5%下降至7.7%。经盐度驯化,菌株L4在20‰内的盐度环境下硝化效率可达到75.6%,其最适pH和温度分别为7.2和30℃,最适接种量为1 g·L~(-1)湿菌,沉积物对菌株L4硝化作用影响不大。模拟不同盐分和水动力条件的河口环境,菌株L4-芦苇组合系统在0‰~20‰的盐度环境下均表现出稳定的硝化效率,7 d硝化效率达到80.9%~88.91%;在盐度分别为30‰和40‰时,硝化效率分别为52.13%和3 1.89%,均大于芦苇和菌株L4单独系统的硝化效率之和,表现出一定的协同性。菌株L4-芦苇组合系统在未曝气时硝化效率可达到67.5%,在1.5 L.h~(-1)的曝气量时硝化效率最高达到81.5%,可见水动力的富氧作用可促进硝化作用的进行。菌株L4和芦苇的协同作用在河口氮污染修复中具有良好的应用潜力。     

不同河流水体颗粒物对硝化过程的影响

采用模拟实验的方法对比研究了长江和黄河水体颗粒物对硝化过程的影响.结果表明:(1)当颗粒物含量分别为0g·l-1和2g·l-1时,长江水样的平均硝化速率在前10d分别为0.21mg·l-1·d-1和0.70mg·l-1·d-1,黄河水样分别为0.18mg·l-1·d-1和0.32mg·l-1·d-1.采用Logistic模型对氨氮的硝化作用进行拟合发现,颗粒物含量为2 g·l-1时的硝化速率常数均显著高于无颗粒物存在时的硝化速率常数,说明有颗粒物存在时的硝化过程较快.(2)有颗粒物存在时,水体氨化细菌、亚硝化细菌和硝化细菌的数量均显著高于无颗粒物存在的水体,而且长江水样中各种菌的数量明显高于黄河水样.(3)长江水样中氨氮的平均硝化速率和硝化速率常数明显大于黄河,这是由于长江水样较高的细菌浓度水平和两条河流颗粒物不同的理化性质所导致.     

近地层臭氧浓度升高对稻田土壤氨氧化与反硝化细菌活性的影响

利用中国唯一的稻麦轮作臭氧FACE（free-air O3 concentration enrichment,开放式空气臭氧浓度增高）试验平台,研究近地层臭氧浓度升高对稻田不同生育时期植株氮吸收量、土壤氮含量与脲酶活性、土壤氨氧化细菌与反硝化细菌数量以及成熟期土壤硝化与反硝化作用强度的影响。结果发现,臭氧浓度升高条件下,单株水稻（Oryza sativaL.）的氮吸收量趋于升高,土壤全氮含量趋于下降、脲酶活性趋于增强,在成熟期土壤全氮与对照相比平均下降9%,土壤脲酶活性与对照相比平均升高13%。在水稻整个生长季节,土壤氨氧化细菌和反硝化细菌的数量均呈现出先增多后减少的趋势,且均在开花期达到峰值,但臭氧熏蒸土壤与对照相比趋于升高;在水稻成熟期,土壤中单个氨氧化细菌和反硝化细菌的活性均趋于下降,土壤硝化强度和反硝化强度与对照相比也平均下降17%和24%。结果表明,近地层臭氧浓度升高条件下,稻田土壤氮素转化因为水稻氮素吸收增强而加快,土壤氨氧化细菌和反硝化细菌的数量均趋于增多,但它们的生理代谢活性均趋于下降。     

好氧异养硝化菌Acinetobacter sp.YY-5的分离鉴定及脱氮机理

通过异养硝化培养基获得一株高效脱氮细菌,并通过形态学特征、生理生化反应及16S rDNA同源性比较对筛得菌株进行了鉴定;分别以NO3--N和NO2--N为唯一氮源,通过对脱氮过程中各种含氮代谢物的定量及对脱氮相关基因氨单加氧酶基因(amoA)、羟胺氧化酶基因(hao)、周质硝酸盐还原酶亚基基因(napA)的扩增及测序比较,对该菌株的生理途径及脱氮机理进行了研究.结果表明,高效脱氮细菌YY-5不能发生好氧反硝化,但能在3 d内将氨氮由95.23 mg/L降解至1.29 mg/L,降解率达妻98.6%,同时未发现亚硝酸盐氮、硝酸盐氮积累;对该菌主要代谢气体产物进行检测,发现CO2和N2明显增多,无N2O生成;经鉴定,初步判定该菌为不动杆菌属,命名为Acinetobacter sp.YY-5;从该菌基因组中均能扩增出amoA、hao、napA等基因,其中napA与hao基因与已报道的napA与hao基因进行Blaster较,发现具有较大差别.图6表3参15     

九层塔内生细菌系统发育分析及生物学功能

九层塔(Ocimum basilicum L.)为一年生唇形科药食两用植物.为研究野生九层塔植株内生细菌的多样性及生物学功能,采用LB、VM、DN和CCM4种培养基从植物不同部位中分离纯化内生细菌,利用IS-PCR插入序列指纹图谱技术进行聚类分析,通过16S rRNA基因测序分析对内生细菌进行分子鉴定及系统发育分析,进一步采用传统方法鉴定各类群代表菌株的生物学功能,并选取功能性较强的菌株进行水稻种子萌发及盆栽促生试验.结果显示,从九层塔中分离获得48株内生细菌,聚为13个类群,表现出九层塔内生菌的多样性;生物学功能测定显示所获得内生菌功能丰富:9株具有固氮功能,8株具溶磷功能,10株具有解钾能力,12株具有分泌生长素的能力,7株具有分泌铁载体功能;筛选出2个促生功能优良的菌株,分别为H1041和H4039,其发酵液能显著地促进水稻种子萌发和水稻生长.本研究表明从野生植物九层塔中分离所得的内生菌具有种群多样性和功能多样性,这些兼具不同功能的菌株具有农业应用开发的价值和意义.(图6表3参62)     

一株贫营养异养硝化-好氧反硝化菌的筛选及脱氮特性

为了探究并优化菌剂应用于微污染水源水体修复的机制和条件,主要针对水库沉积物内筛选出的贫营养好氧反硝化菌进行了菌种鉴定及脱氮特性研究,考察菌株在不同环境条件下的脱氮效果,明确了该菌株的最适宜生长条件,并基于水库水体中贫营养条件对菌株进行水源水库原水的驯化培养试验研究,以期实现该菌株对微污染水源水库原水中氮源污染物的脱除,为原位投菌技术实际工程应用提供理论依据。从微污染水源水库沉积物中驯化筛分出一株高效异养硝化-好氧反硝化菌A14,通过扫描电镜观察、生理生化特征、16S rRNA基因测序和Biolog GenⅢ鉴定,确定该菌株为革兰氏阴性短杆菌,鉴定为皮特不动杆菌（Acinetobacter pittii）。在好氧条件下,菌株细胞内表达反硝化功能基因napA,以NO3-为唯一氮源进行反硝化作用时,36 h时NO3-去除率为78.89%。以NH4+为唯一氮源时,48 h NH4+去除率为95.25%,TN去除率达80.42%,TOC去除率达98.30%,表明该菌株具有异养硝化-好氧反硝化特性。在改变环境条件过程中,该菌株在以乙酸钠为碳源,温度为30℃,C/N为12,pH为7,接种量为10%时,NO3-去除率最高为86.62%,并且在10℃下脱氮率达到40.18%。在水源水库原水脱氮实验中,接种处理TN去除率为50.95%,NO3-去除率为80.25%。结果表明,菌株A14在微污染水源水体菌剂脱氮修复中具有良好的应用潜力。     

土壤中耐砷细菌的筛选和砷还原基因多样性分析

采用琼脂平板培养法从湖南富砷土壤中筛选出43株耐砷细菌。16SrRNA序列分析结果表明所筛选菌分属于四个门：Actinobacteria、Proteobacteria、Firmicutes、Bacteroidetes,其中71．1％为革兰氏阳性菌。通过PCR和克隆测序等方法检测耐砷菌的砷还原相关基因（arrA、arsC、arsB／ACR3）及其基因多样性。检测结果显示：43株菌中,6．9％含异化砷还原基因arrA,30．2％含细胞质砷还原基因arsC,27．9％含As（Ⅲ）运载蛋白基因arsB／ACR3,这些基因在细菌中的出现频率较低。通过Mega软件构建系统发育树发现arrA基因的多样性可能受一定的地域差异影响,arsC基因在一些菌株中存在着基因水平转移现象,同时表明a变形菌可能更倾向于拥有Acr3型As（Ⅲ）载体蛋白,而arsB则多出现在芽孢杆菌中。     

一株好氧反硝化细菌的鉴定及其在废水处理中的应用

从武汉市郊稻田土壤中分离得到一株好氧反硝化细菌HS-03,对其反硝化能力进行了研究.结果表明:细菌HS-03在好氧条件下能有效去除人工废水中的NO3-(10mmol/L),去除率达90%以上,并且在反应过程中没有NO2-的积累.菌株HS-03与Pseudomonasstutzeri的16SrDNA序列具有99.1%的相似性.对该菌株的16SrDNA序列以及生理生化特征分析表明,细菌HS-03是P.stutzeri的一个新分离种.实验采用ClastalW和PHYLIP程序对该菌株与报道菌进行了系统发育进化分析.图5表2参14     

好氧反硝化菌种DF2的分离鉴定及生理生化特性分析

分离了新型的高效反硝化细菌并研究其生物脱氮效率。通过观察形态学、生理生化鉴定和16SrRNA基因同源分析来鉴定菌种,致力于研究微生物污水脱氮处理的实际效果和克服反硝化过程中有害中间产物的积累。利用BTB培养基从水平潜流人工湿地基质中初步筛选出了9株平板阳性菌,革兰阴阳性均有。经试验研究发现该9种菌株在好氧条件下均具有一定的脱氮能力,其中以DF2和DF3 2种菌株脱氮能力最为显著,在3 d时间内NOX--N去除率达到了95%以上,NO2--N仅有微量积累;而其它7种菌株对NO3--N的去除率可以达到98%以上,但是NO2--N积累比较严重,积累量达到了NO3--N去除的50%~70%左右。经测序分析鉴定DF2和DF3分别属于德克斯氏菌属(Derxia)和假单胞菌属(Pseudomonadaceae)。德克斯氏菌属作为除氮的反硝化菌属在以往的研究中鲜有报道,该菌在好氧条件下可以合成周质NAR的亚基基因(napA)。     

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.