BDE-47对人胚肾细胞HEK293的毒理效应及作用机制

2,2’,4,4’-四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)是生物体中含量最高且毒性最强的PBDEs之一,有关BDE-47对肾细胞的毒性及其作用机制的研究仍有待补充。选取3个剂量组(低:10-6mol·L-1、中:10-5mol·L-1、高:10-4mol·L-1)及溶剂对照组,研究了BDE-47对人胚肾细胞(HEK293)的细胞凋亡率及活性氧(ROS)水平的影响;并从分子水平对细胞氧化损伤、凋亡相关蛋白(APE1及p53)及凋亡相关基因m RNA(p53、Bax、Caspase 3、Caspase 8)的表达量进行测定。实验结果显示:与对照组相比,中、高剂量组细胞凋亡率显著增加(P0.05);ROS水平在中剂量组显著上升(P0.01);随BDE-47浓度的变化,APE1蛋白表达量与细胞ROS水平存在一致性;p53、Bax、Caspase 8 m RNA表达量与BDE-47的浓度间存在剂量-效应关系。结果表明,BDE-47可诱导HEK293细胞凋亡及氧化应激,APE1可能是细胞ROS升高与细胞凋亡间重要的中介因子;BDE-47可以通过影响Caspase 8及线粒体途径中p53及Bax的表达诱导细胞凋亡。     

氯化三丁基锡(TBTCl)对罗非鱼精巢细胞凋亡的影响

以雄性奥利亚罗非鱼为试验材料,分别以0、1、3、5和10μg·L-1氯化三丁基锡(TBTCl)通过接触染毒的方式,研究TBTCl对鱼类精巢细胞凋亡的影响.细胞凋亡分析结果表明,在同一染毒时间下,除染毒时间为24和48h,染毒浓度为1μg·L-1处理组与对照组之间细胞凋亡率差异不显著(P>0.05)以外,其余情况下各处理组与对照组之间差异均显著(P<0.05或P<0.01).各相邻2个浓度处理组之间,3μg·L-1处理组和5μg·L-1处理组之间细胞凋亡率差异均不显著(P>0.05),其余各组之间差异均显著(P<0.05或P<0.01).随着TBTCl浓度的升高,罗非鱼精巢细胞凋亡率逐渐升高,剂量-效应关系显著.精巢细胞Ca2+-ATP酶活性测定结果表明,在同一染毒时间下,除在染毒时间为24和96 h时,染毒浓度为1μg·L-1处理组与对照组之间差异不显著(P>0.05)以外,其余情况下各处理组与对照组之间差异均显著(P<0.05或P<0.01).在同一染毒时间下,各处理组之间,除染毒时间为24 h时,染毒浓度1μg·L-1处理组和3 μg·L-1处理组之间差异不显著(P>0.05)以外,其余情况下各处理组之间差异显著(P<0.01);随着染毒浓度的升高,Ca2+-ATP酶活性逐渐升高,并且剂量一效应关系显著(P<0.05或P<0.01).奥利亚罗非鱼精巢细胞凋亡率与精巢Ca2+-ATP酶活性间具有一定的协同关系.     

微囊藻毒素-LR致小鼠肝细胞DNA-蛋白质交联作用的研究

为探讨微囊藻毒素-LR致小鼠肝细胞的DNA-蛋白质交联作用,将20只昆明雄性小鼠随机分为4组:1个对照组和3个染毒组,采用腹腔注射进行染毒7d,染毒剂量分别为3.0、6.0和12.0μg·kg-1,检测小鼠肝细胞DNA-蛋白质交联程度.结果显示,3.0、6.0和12.0μg·kg-1微囊藻毒素-LR均可导致小鼠肝细胞显著的DNA-蛋白质交联作用(与对照组相比,p<0.01,p<0.01,p<0.05),当微囊藻毒素为6.0μg·kg-1时,这种作用最明显.     

大气细颗粒物对CHO细胞的损伤作用及天然物质的拮抗机制

PM2.5引起的健康危害日益受到广泛关注,但其确切的损伤机理仍不完全清楚,目前也缺乏有效拮抗PM2.5损伤的天然活性物质。因此本文对北京市PM2.5造成CHO细胞的损伤作用及天然物质的拮抗作用进行研究,结果可为PM2.5污染治理和疾病的预防提供科学依据。通过CCK-8法测定细胞存活率;通过流式细胞仪测定细胞凋亡;用荧光探针DCFH-DA法测定ROS;提取细胞内总蛋白并测定其中SOD含量;以及通过Western Blot法分别测定了p-akt/akt、p65及Bad的相对表达量。结果显示:(1)10~40μg·m L-1的PM2.5可明显降低CHO细胞存活率,并呈现极显著的剂量-效应关系(r=-0.964,P0.01);15μg·m L-1PM2.5可以显著增加细胞凋亡、引起细胞内ROS增加、SOD含量下降;p-akt/akt、p65表达量增加说明Akt通路与NF-κB通路均被激活。(2)20μmol·L-1阿魏酸、50μmol·L-1绿原酸和10μmol·L-1荭草素预处理可拮抗PM2.5引起的细胞存活率下降以及细胞凋亡率增加,同时降低细胞内ROS并增加SOD含量,下调p-akt/akt、p65及Bad的相对表达量。其中20μmol·L-1阿魏酸的保护作用最佳。结果说明,PM2.5引起的CHO细胞损伤与细胞凋亡与Akt和NF-κB通路的激活有关;三种天然活性物质具有拮抗PM2.5造成的细胞损伤的能力,其保护机理是通过其降低PM2.5引起的细胞内氧化应激反应,进而降低被PM2.5激活的Akt通路与NF-κB通路和下调Bad蛋白表达量来实现的。     

一株微囊藻毒素-LR降解菌的降解特性

研究了从某人工湖底泥中筛选出的1株能够降解微囊藻毒素-LR(MC-LR)的菌株JM13的降解特性.实验结果表明,当加入50 mg·L-1淀粉作为外加碳源时,菌株对初始浓度为0.5 mg·L-1MC-LR的降解率可达44.5%;低浓度重金属Cu2+的加入可在一定程度上提高菌株对MC-LR的降解,降解率可达到44.8%;随着时间的延长,菌株对MC-LR的降解率不断增大,到第10天达到52.6%,当投入菌龄为36 h的菌悬液时,降解率可达到55.4%.对该菌株细胞表面疏水性(CSH)的测试结果显示,在菌JM13细胞表面疏水性最大的情况下(即有机∶相水相=3∶4时),添加淀粉及低浓度(0.5 mg·L-1)Cu2+可以在一定程度上抵御降解过程中细菌表面疏水性的降低,使菌体细胞能更好地同污染物接触,从而在一定程度上提高菌株对MC-LR的降解.     

虚拟模板分子印迹微球的制备及其对水中微囊藻毒素的吸附性能

本文以L-精氨酸为模板、丙烯酰胺(AM)为单体,N,N'-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺(MBA)为交联剂以及偶氮二异丁腈(AIBN)为引发剂,采用沉淀聚合法制备了微囊藻毒素分子印迹聚合物.采用量子化学密度泛函理论(DFT)模拟计算以确定模板分子(L-精氨酸)与功能单体(AM)的印迹比例,通过扫描电镜和红外吸收光谱对分子印迹聚合物微球进行表征,并利用平衡吸附实验考察了印迹微球对微囊藻毒素的吸附性能.结果表明,本虚拟模板法制备的印迹微球对MC-LR的吸附符合Langmuir模型,线性拟合得出MIPs的线性回归方程为Ce/Q=3.026×10-4+0.125(r=0.991),由此推导出对MC-LR的最大表观吸附量为80.3μg·g~(-1).实验还表明,印迹聚合物对MC-LR和MC-RR的吸附比非印迹聚合物具有更好的选择性,MIPs对MC-LR的初始吸附速率为58.8μg·g~(-1)·min~(-1),大于非印迹聚合物的初始吸附速率19.6μg·g~(-1)·min~(-1),具有选择性富集水体中MC-LR和MC-RR等微囊藻毒素的应用前景.     

两种喂食方式下微囊藻毒素-LR在罗非鱼肝脏和肌肉中动态变化的比较

试验以尼罗罗非鱼作为受试动物,通过直接投喂未经处理的新鲜藻细胞和喂食相同量经超声波破碎过的藻细胞,比较了罗非鱼在摄食完整蓝藻细胞与摄食破碎的蓝藻细胞时微囊藻毒素-LR(MC-LR)在其体内的动态变化规律及代谢差异.结果表明,无论是喂食破碎蓝藻细胞还是未破碎的蓝藻细胞均可在罗非鱼肝脏和肌肉中检出MC-LR,细胞破碎组肝脏和肌肉的富集能力高于未破碎组.富集第3d,即可在肝脏和肌肉中检出不同程度的MC-LR,肝脏中MC-LR的含量显著高于肌肉,随着富集时间的延长,MC-LR的含量总体呈上升趋势,破碎组肝脏和肌肉分别在染毒的16d和11d达到最大值(分别为2.021μg·g-1和0.071μg·g-1);未破碎组则分别在染毒的24d和21d达到最大值(分别为1.856μg·g-1和0.036μg·g-1).整个富集阶段破碎组肝脏MC-LR的平均值为1.171μg·g-1,略高于未破碎组的1.029μg·g-1;破碎组肌肉含量的平均值0.051μg·g-1,高于未破碎组的0.029μg·g-1.将细胞未破碎组的罗非鱼进行释放阶段的试验.结果表明,罗非鱼的肝脏能快速清除MC-LR,释放13d时达到释放阶段的最低值(为0.241μg·g-1),与肝脏相比,肌肉对毒素的清除要缓慢得多.     

两种喂食方式下微囊藻毒素-LR在罗非鱼肝脏和肌肉中动态变化的比较(Dynamical Response of Microcystins-LR in Liver and Muscle of Tilapia（Oreochromis niloticus）in Two Feeding Conditions of Cyanobacteria)

试验以尼罗罗非鱼作为受试动物,通过直接投喂未经处理的新鲜藻细胞和喂食相同量经超声波破碎过的藻细胞,比较了罗非鱼在摄食完整蓝藻细胞与摄食破碎的蓝藻细胞时微囊藻毒素-LR（MC-LR）在其体内的动态变化规律及代谢差异. 结果表明,无论是喂食破碎蓝藻细胞还是未破碎的蓝藻细胞均可在罗非鱼肝脏和肌肉中检出MC-LR,细胞破碎组肝脏和肌肉的富集能力高于未破碎组. 富集第3d,即可在肝脏和肌肉中检出不同程度的MC-LR,肝脏中MC-LR的含量显著高于肌肉,随着富集时间的延长,MC-LR的含量总体呈上升趋势,破碎组肝脏和肌肉分别在染毒的16d和11d达到最大值（分别为2.021μg·g-1和0.071μg·g-1）;未破碎组则分别在染毒的24d和21d达到最大值（分别为1.856μg·g-1和0.036μg·g-1）. 整个富集阶段破碎组肝脏MC-LR的平均值为1.171μg·g-1,略高于未破碎组的1.029μg·g-1;破碎组肌肉含量的平均值0.051μg·g-1,高于未破碎组的0.029μg·g-1. 将细胞未破碎组的罗非鱼进行释放阶段的试验. 结果表明,罗非鱼的肝脏能快速清除MC-LR,释放13d时达到释放阶段的最低值（为0.241μg·g-1）,与肝脏相比,肌肉对毒素的清除要缓慢得多.     

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。     

BDE47对Neuro-2a细胞毒性效应及作用机制

探讨2,2',4,4'-四溴联苯醚(2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenylether,BDE 47)对神经细胞Neuro-2a的毒性影响及机制。将Neuro-2a细胞暴露于浓度为6.25、12.5、25、50、100μmol·L-1的BDE 47,采用MTT法检测细胞存活率、荧光探针DCFH-DA检测细胞活性氧生成量、吖啶橙检测溶酶体膜通透性、罗丹明123检测细胞线粒体膜电位、Annexin V-FITC检测细胞凋亡、Western blot检测组织蛋白酶B(Cathespin B)表达。结果显示,与对照组相比,12.5、25、50、100μmol·L~(-1)BDE 47显著降低Neuro-2a细胞存活率和细胞线粒体膜电位(P0.05);6.25、12.5、25、50、100μmol·L~(-1)BDE 47显著诱导活性氧含量升高(P0.05),增加Neuro-2a细胞溶酶体膜通透性(P0.05),诱导Neuro-2a细胞凋亡(P0.05),升高Cathespin B蛋白表达(P0.05)。结果表明,BDE 47可能通过介导溶酶体-活性氧-线粒体环路,诱导Neuro-2a细胞凋亡。     

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.