氨氮胁迫下菲律宾蛤仔肝胰腺内参基因的筛选

利用荧光定量PCR技术对目标基因进行转录水平分析,选择合适的内参基因作为对照是其前提条件.随着氨氮胁迫菲律宾蛤仔毒性效应的深入研究,需要准确评价氨氮对蛤仔肝胰腺组织基因表达的影响.然而,不同浓度氨氮条件下的菲律宾蛤仔肝胰腺组织的内参基因的筛选尚未报道.本研究以2种不同氨氮浓度暴露菲律宾蛤仔14 d的肝胰腺组织cDNA为qRT-PCR的模板,利用geNorm、NormFinder、BestKeeper和RefFinder软件评估β-肌动蛋白(Actin)、延伸因子1-α(EF-1α)、β-微管蛋白(Tubu)、18S核糖体RNA(18S)、泛素(Ubi)和亲环蛋白A(CyPA)6个内参基因的表达稳定性.结果表明,肝胰腺组织中备选内参基因的表达稳定性依次为:Actin>18S>CyPA>Ubi>Tubu>EF-1α,即Actin为表达最稳定的内参基因.本研究为进一步分析氨氮胁迫下菲律宾蛤仔肝胰腺组织的基因表达情况,提供了可靠的内参基因.     

虾夷扇贝毒素(yessotoxin)诱导的栉孔扇贝(Chlamys farreri)体内P糖蛋白转运活性及其分布研究

大量研究表明P-糖蛋白(P-glycoprotein,P-gp)介导的多型异源物质抗性机制(multi-xentiobiotic resistance,MXR)在贝类耐受或抵抗污染水域中有毒有害物质的毒害中具有重要作用,但是该机制在贝类抵抗或耐受食源性毒素方面作用的研究却很少。本研究以栉孔扇贝(Chlamys farreri)为实验动物,向其投喂产虾夷扇贝毒素(yessotoxins,YTXs)的网状原角藻(Protoceratium reticulatum),通过检测栉孔扇贝鳃和消化腺组织中YTX毒素含量随时间的变化情况,结合2种组织中P-gp介导的MXR活性变化及P-gp在组织中的表达和分布,探讨P-gp在扇贝耐受YTX毒素中可能的作用。研究结果表明,随着毒藻暴露时间的延长,栉孔扇贝鳃和消化腺中YTX含量逐渐增加,且具有明显的时间依赖关系。YTX的大量累积虽未导致扇贝死亡,但是仍然对扇贝组织产生不同程度的毒性。苏木精-伊红(hematoxylin-eosin,HE)染色发现,染毒12 h后,栉孔扇贝鳃组织前端出现明显黑化,消化腺组织导管上皮细胞部分脱落入管腔中,腺管内细胞界限模糊,部分腺管崩解。罗丹明B(rhodamine B,Rho B)外排实验表明YTX毒素暴露能显著增强栉孔扇贝鳃和消化腺组织中P-gp的转运活性,暴露12 h后鳃和消化腺Rho B的排出速率就已分别达到对照组的3.8倍和1.4倍,随着暴露时间的延长,P-gp活性略有增强,72 h后开始下降;P-gp的功能性抑制剂维拉帕米(verapamil,VRP)在实验设定的浓度下没有抑制反而增强了Rho B的外排;免疫定位显示,毒素暴露后栉孔扇贝鳃丝前端纤毛柱状细胞及消化腺导管上皮柱状细胞和腺管消化细胞P-gp免疫阳性信号增强,说明YTX毒素暴露提高了P-gp的表达量。综上推断,YTX毒素可能是P-gp的底物,它能够诱导P-gp转运活性增强,并增加P-gp的表达量来参与扇贝对YTX毒素的耐受或抗性;设定浓度的VRP不能抑制P-gp的活性,这可能是由于种属差异造成的,关于VRP对栉孔扇贝Pgp的作用还有待进一步的研究。     

氨态氮对菲律宾蛤仔毒理机制研究的内参基因筛选

为了准确和系统地分析NH_3-N对菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)毒性的分子机制,并对相关基因的转录组学数据进行验证,利用ge Norm和Normfinder这2种软件,以暴露30 d中不同时间点的鳃组织c DNA为模板,从18S r RNA(18S)、beta-actin(Actin)、beta-tubulin(Tubu)、elongation factor 1-alpha(EF1α)、cyclophilin A(Cy PA)、Ubiquitin(Ub)等6个备选管家基因中,筛选可以稳定表达的内参基因,作为转录组学分析的内参基因。以稀释50倍的鳃组织c DNA模板作为检测模板,ge Norm软件分析获得6对备选内参基因的表达稳定性依次为:EF1αCy PAActinTubuUb18S,较优内参为EF1α和Cy PA;Norm Finder软件分析获得6对备选内参基因的表达稳定性为:EF1αActinTubuCy PAUb18S,最优内参基因为EF1α。为了验证上述筛选结果,分别以EF1α和Cy PA作为内参基因研究unigene1的表达趋势,发现以EF1α为内参基因时,unigene1的q RT-PCR的表达趋势与其转录组表达倍数的变化趋势一致。因此确定NH_3-N暴露菲律宾蛤仔后,鳃组织中表达最为稳定的内参基因为EF1α。     

亚硝态氮胁迫下菲律宾蛤仔实时定量P CR内参基因的筛选

为了更好地从基因角度研究亚硝态氮对贝类的生态毒性,需要筛选一个合适的内参基因作为参考,对其毒性相关基因进行定量表达分析。本研究以菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)作为研究对象,以亚硝态氮胁迫的鳃组织cDNA作为模板,利用geNorm软件和NormFinder软件对6个候选内参基因进行表达稳定性分析,并对2个结果做了综合赋权分析。结果显示,geNorm分析的基因表达稳定性结果为ActinCyPAEF1αUbi18STubu,NormFinder软件分析的结果为ActinUbiCyPAEF1α18STubu,最后经加权赋值法综合分析获得6个候选基因的表达稳定性为ActinCyPAUbiEF1α18STubu,即Actin为表达最稳定的基因。因此,Actin可以作为衡量亚硝态氮胁迫后菲律宾蛤仔鳃组织中基因表达的内参基因。     

双酚A诱导下双齿围沙蚕实时荧光定量P CR内参基因的筛选

为了筛选出在双酚A诱导下双齿围沙蚕(Perinereis aibuhitensis)体壁组织中最适内参基因,以不同浓度双酚A诱导下双齿围沙蚕互补脱氧核糖核酸(cDNA)为模板进行实时荧光定量PCR,利用Ge Norm、Norm Finder和Bestkeeper三个软件对肌动蛋白(beta-actin, Actin)、核糖体蛋白5(ribosomal protein L5, RPL5)、甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶(glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, GAPDH)、微管蛋白(β-tubulin, Tub)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(succinate dehydrogenase complex flavoprotein subunit A, SDHA)和组蛋白(Histone Cluster 1 H_2A Family Member A, HH_2A)这6个备选内参基因的表达量进行分析,筛选出稳定表达的内参基因。结果表明6个内参基因的基因表达量由大到小为ActinGAPDHSDHAHH_2ATubRPL5,Bestkeeper软件分析得到6种内参基因稳定性排名为ActinRPL5SDHATubHH_2AGAPDH,Ge Norm软件分析得出6种内参基因的稳定性排名为SDHARPL5ActinTubHH_2AGAPDH,Normfinder分析的结果为ActinSDHARPL5TubHH_2AGAPDH。综合以上结果确定双酚A诱导下双齿围沙蚕最优内参基因为Actin,不推荐GAPDH作为内参基因使用。推荐同时选取多对内参基因进行实验,可以进一步减少误差。     

不同光质条件下刺葡萄红色愈伤组织的RT-qPCR内参基因筛选

不同光质对刺葡萄红色愈伤组织(DLR)花青素的积累以及细胞生长具有重要影响.利用RT-qPCR进行不同光质培养的刺葡萄红色愈伤组织功能基因的表达分析,筛选适用于不同光质下RT-qPCR分析的内参基因.以9种光质(黑暗、白光、红光、黄光、蓝光、绿光、紫光、暖白光、暖黄光)下培养获得的刺葡萄红色愈伤组织为材料,对10个葡萄中常用的内参基因进行RT-qPCR分析.结果显示,geNorm、Normfinder、BestKeeper等3个内参分析软件因算法不同,内参稳定性排名具有一定差异. ge Norm评估排名前5的内参基因为α-Tubulin=AP-2 60SRP EF1-α UBQ;Normfinder计算排名前5的内参为60SRP AP-2α-Tubulin EF1-α GAPDH;BestKeeper分析的前5个基因依次为UBQα-Tubulin 60SRP EF1-α SAND.α-Tubulin、60SRP在3个软件评估中排名最为稳定靠前,NAD5则为最不稳定候选内参基因.拟定α-Tubulin、60SRP为最适内参,对目的基因UFGT进行验证,验证结果显示α-Tubulin、60SRP表达趋势相似,具有较高的稳定性,其组合可获得较为精准的表达分析结果.本研究结果可为后续光质处理刺葡萄红色愈伤组织的基因表达研究提供理论基础.(图5表2参39)     

雌二醇短期暴露对非洲爪蟾性腺和输卵管形态及性二态基因表达影响的初步研究

环境雌激素对两栖动物的生殖内分泌干扰作用已引起关注,目前的研究主要集中在长期暴露对性腺分化和发育的影响。以雌二醇(E2,10 nmol·L-1)为模式化合物,以非洲爪蟾为实验动物,6月龄的幼蛙暴露6 d,研究雌激素对性腺和输卵管形态以及性二态性基因表达的影响。结果发现,6 d的E2暴露对精巢和卵巢的形态没有明显影响,但从组织学结构来看对卵和精子的发育有微弱的促进作用。E2能够明显地促进了雌性输卵管的发育,表现为输卵管变粗变弯曲。E2暴露显著抑制精巢和卵巢中性激素合成相关基因cyp11a1、3βHSD、Srd5α、ARO的表达,对cyp17的表达无影响,使脑中LHβ和FSHβ的表达下调;对性别分化和性腺发育相关基因Dax、AR、ERα、TFⅢA、TBPL2的表达均无影响,但能够促进卵巢中Sox3的表达;同时促进脑中Emi2的表达,抑制脑中Dmrt1的表达。因此,输卵管可作为敏感的形态指标,性腺中Srd5α、cyp11a1、3βHSD、ARO、Sox3和脑中LHβ、FSHβ、Dmrt1、Emi2可作为分子指标。以上结果可为后续建立评价化学品对两栖动物雌激素效应的短期试验方法提供参考。     

浑河流域野生鲫鱼卵黄蛋白原基因表达

为揭示浑河流域水环境内分泌干扰物对水生态的潜在风险,利用兼并引物扩增获得鲫鱼卵黄蛋白原(Vtg)和核糖体蛋白L-7(RPL-7)基因部分碱基序列(分别为825和450bp),建立以RPL-7为内参基因、定量鲫鱼Vtg基因表达的实时定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)方法,并将该方法用于定量浑河野生鲫鱼肝组织Vtg基因表达分析。结果显示:与上游对照点(S1)相比,7月下游各点(S4～S8)雄鱼、S4和S6点雌鱼肝组织的VtgmRNA表达水平皆显著升高(P<0.05);11月在雄鱼中未检出VtgmRNA的有效表达,雌鱼也仅在S2和S3点的表达水平升高(P<0.05)。研究表明,浑河流域野生鲫鱼尤其是在7月明显受到了环境雌激素类物质的影响。另外,qRT-PCR方法能够灵敏检测出鲫鱼Vtg基因表达的时空差异。     

双酚A对斑马鱼精巢性激素生成酶基因表达的影响

为了解环境雌激素对鱼类精巢发育的影响,将成年雄性斑马鱼(Danio rerio)暴露于不同浓度双酚A(0、500、1 000、2 000、4 000μg·L-1)下21 d,并在此基础上,进一步研究了暴露在相同浓度(BPA2 000μg·L-1)不同暴露时间下各基因表达的动力学模式。用荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)方法检测试验鱼精巢性激素合成相关细胞色素P450酶类基因(CYP17、CYP11B和CYP19A)以及雌、雄激素受体和促卵泡激素受体(ERα、ERβ、AR和FSHR)基因的表达,用常规组织学方法研究试验鱼精巢结构的变化。结果表明,BPA促进了精巢内源雌激素合成相关酶类基因CYP19A和雌激素受体ERαmRNA、ERβmRNA的表达,且BPA浓度为2 000μg·L-1时3者的表达量显著上调,同时随着暴露时间的延长,具有明显的时间累积效应。1 000μg·L-1BPA可导致斑马鱼精巢CYP17 mRNA的表达量显著下调,BPA2 000μg·L-1暴露12 d引起了CYP11B mRNA表达下调,而随着暴露时间的延长有所回升,但它对精巢AR mRNA的表达却无明显影响。同时,BPA 500μg·L-1引起了FSHR基因的显著上调,在时间动态学上,呈上升趋势。在组织学上,2 000μg·L-1BPA引起斑马鱼精巢生精小管内精子浓缩严重,精原细胞(Sg)和精母细胞(PS和SS)数目都有所减少,BPA 4 000μg·L-1组斑马鱼精巢退化。因此,BPA可诱导精巢内源雌激素合成和雌激素受体的表达,提高雌激素效应,通过抑制CYP17基因的表达,一定程度上抑制雄激素的合成,从而引起斑马鱼精巢组织的破坏。同时,据实验数据推测,雄激素的下调可能启动了下丘脑-垂体-性腺(HPG)轴的负反馈调节机制,而此作用机制还有待进一步研究。     

Cu在扇贝组织中的蓄积及其对酶活性的影响

采用暴露实验方法，研究了不同浓度的Cu（Cu^2＋）对栉孔扇贝（Chlamys farreri）鳃、肌肉、内脏团组织中Cu蓄积量及过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性的影响．结果表明：随水体中Cu浓度的升高，扇贝各组织中Cu蓄积量明显上升，Cu蓄积量顺序为：内脏〉鳃〉肌肉．Cu浓度对栉孔扇贝各组织中过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性均有明显影响，各组织中酶活性均随Cu浓度升高表现为抑制-诱导-抑制的规律．这表明，栉孔扇贝各组织中CAT酶对水体中Cu污染反映敏感，存在计量-效应关系，对海洋Cu早期污染具有指示作用．图2表1参19     

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.     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.     

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.