Tropic attributes of the mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) in the mangrove swamps of Imo River estuary, Nigeria

Aspects of the trophic attributes of the mudskipper,Periophthalmus barbarus occurring in the mangrove swamps of ImoRiver estuary, Nigeria, were investigated during a 12-month period(April, 1992-March, 1993). Feeding intensity increased with size;it was higher in the dry season (November-April) than in the wetseason (May-October); monthly changes in the indices of feedingintensity were significantly correlated. Major food objectscomprised detritus and benthic algae; crustaceans, insects,macrophyte matter and sand grains were minor food objects whilefish, molluscs, Chilopoda, nematodes and fungi were unconsciouslydevoured objects. Diet varied seasonally; algae and sesarmid crabswere generally more in the dry season than during the rains whereasFPOM and fish increased in the wet over dry season. The mudskipperdisplay a high degree of euryphagy and can be considered as ageneralist and an omnivore. The lower trophic status of P. barbarusqualifies it as a good aquaculture candidate. Food richness washigher in big-sized class (BSC) than small-sized class (SSC).Size-based and seasonal variations were not apparent in foodrichness. Diet breadth was higher in the BSC than the SSC; therewas dry season increase in diet breadth.     

The concept of intrinsic value and transgenic animals

The creation of transgenic animals by means of modern techniques of genetic manipulation is evaluated in the light of different interpretations of the concept of intrinsic value. The zoocentric interpretation, emphasizing the suffering of individual, sentient animals, is described as an extension of the anthropocentric interpretation. In a biocentric or ecocentric approach the concept of intrinsic value first of all denotes independence of humans and a non-instrumental relation to animals. In the zoocentric approach of Bernard Rollin, genetic engineering is seen as a morally neutral tool, as long as the animal does not suffer as a result of it. Robert Colwell who defends an ecocentric ethic, makes a sharp distinction between wild animals and domesticated animals. Genetic manipulation of wild species is a serious moral issue, in contrast to genetic manipulation of domesticated species which is no problem at all for Colwell. Both authors do not take the species-specific nature (or telos) of domesticated animals seriously. When domestication is seen as a process between the two poles of the wild animal and the human construct (which can be patented), the technique of genetic manipulation can only be seen as a further encroachment upon the intrinsic value of animals. At the level of molecular biology, the concept of an animal's telos loses its meaning.     

A Spatial Model to Estimate Habitat Fragmentation and Its Consequences on Long-Term Persistence of Animal Populations

The increasing use of the landscape by humans has led to important diminutions of natural surfaces. The remaining patches of wild habitat are small and isolated from each other among a matrix of inhospitable land-uses. This habitat fragmentation, by disabling population movements and stopping their spread to new habitats, is a major threat to the survival of numerous plant and animal species. We developed a general model, adaptable for specific species, capable of identifying suitable habitat patches within fragmented landscapes and investigating the capacity of populations to move between these patches. This approach combines GIS analysis of a landscape, with spatial dynamic modeling. Suitable habitat is identified using a threshold area to perimeter ratio. Potential movement pathways of species between habitat patches are modeled using a cellular automaton. Habitat connectivity is estimated by overlaying habitat patches with movement pathways. The maximum potential population is calculated within and between connected habitat patches and potential risk of inbreeding within meta-populations is considered. The model was tested on a sample map and applied to scenario maps of predicted land-use change in the Peoria Tri-county region (IL). It (1) showed area of natural area alone was insufficient to estimate the consequences on animal populations; (2) underscored the necessity to use approaches investigating the effect of land-use change spatially through the landscape and the importance of considering species-specific life history characteristics; and (3) highlighted the model's potential utility as an indicator of species likelihood to be affected negatively by land-use scenarios and therefore requiring detailed investigation.     

A Survey of Trace Metals in Vegetation, Soil and Lower Animal Along Some Selected Major Roads in Metropolitan City of Lagos

The concentration of trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in a total of 144 samples of grass, soil and lower animal (earthworm, Lybrodrilus violaceous) were collected and analysed for their metallic content. Levels of cadmium ranged from 0.01–0.07 g g^–1; 0.01–0.12 g g^–1 and from trace–0.05 g g^–1 dry weight for plant, soil and animal samples respectively. Mean concentration of copper ranged 0.10–1.48 g g^–1; 0.10–2.90 g g^–1 and 0.01–0.08 g g^–1 for samples in similar order as above. The levels of Pb varied from 0.01–0.14 g g^–1; 0.02–0.23 g g^–1 and from trace–0.07 g g^–1 while that of Zn ranged from 0.19–1.80 g g^–1; 0.51–3.35 g g^–1and 0.01–0.08 g g^–1 also in the same order of samples as mentioned above. Levels of metals in soil samples were higher than the background levels with the exception of Zn but lower than European Union (EU) limits. The results generally revealed the presence of metals in plant and animal samples and metal dynamics up the food chain is highly possible. Acceptable recoveries of the spiking experiment validate the experimental protocol.     

Obligations to animals are based on rights

Some feminist philosophers criticize the idea of human rights because, they allege, it encapsulates male bias; it is therefore misguided, in their view, to extend moral rights to non-human animals. I argue that the feminist criticism is misguided. Ideas are not biased in favour of men simply because they originate with men, nor are ideas themselves biased in favour of men because men have used them prejudicially. As for the position that women should abandon theories of rights and embrace an ethic that emphasizes care: women who made this choice would not so much liberate themselves from the patriarchy as they would conform to its representation of women as emotional, subjective and irrational. There is, then, no good reason to withhold ascribing rights to non-human animals, based on the criticisms of rights made by some feminists.Some of the material in the discussion of the feminist critique of rights originally appeared in my The Case for Animal Rights: A Decade's Passing inA Quarter Century of Value Inquiry: Presidential Addresses of the American Society of Value Inquiry, edited by Richard T. Hull, pp. 451–455. Amsterdam and Atlanta, GA: Rodopi, 1994. These passages are reprinted with the permission of the editor and publisher, whose thoughtful co-operation is gratefully acknowledged.     

Influence of glucose feeding on the ligninolytic enzyme production of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The present work studied the influence of glucose feeding on the ligninolytic enzyme production of Phanerochaete chrysosporium in a nitrogen-limited (C/N ratio is 56/8.8 mmol/L) medium. Several sets of shaking flask experiments were conducted. The results showed that 2 g/L glucose feeding on the first day of the culture (24 h after the inoculation) simulated both fungal biomass growth and enzyme production. The manganese peroxidase (MnP) activity was 2.5 times greater than that produced in cultures without glucose feeding. Furthermore, the glucose feeding mode in fed-batch culture was also investigated. Compared to cultures with glucose feeding every 48 h, cultures with glucose feeding of 1.5 g/L (final concentration) every 24 h produced more enzymes. The peak and total yield of MnP activity were 2.7 and 3 times greater compared to the contrast culture, respectively, and the enzyme was kept stable for 4 days with an activity of over 200 U/L. Translated from Acta Scientise Circumstantiae, 2007, 27(3): 363–368 [译自: 环境科学学报]     

深入认识生态承载力的空间构成发展节约化畜牧业的初探

内蒙古自治区位于祖国北部边疆，地域辽阔，是我国北疆的绿色屏障，由于自然条件的制约，草场保护与草地资源利用间的矛盾比较突出。近几年我区的过度放牧和养殖，使草地面积退化，而且草地建设严重滞后。我区有得天独厚的风能和水资源，但资源分布不均，东部地区水资源和草地资源丰富，而中西部地区风能资源丰富，如何充分认识与利用资源空间有机组成，充分利用生态承载力，实现生存与生态良性发展，则显得十分重要。本文要结合我区的风、水、土、草等资源的分布条件，探讨我区走协调发展的道路。     

城市特定生境下土壤动物的生态分布

通过对2002年9月至2003年3月间上海3种生境类型下土壤动物的调查,共捕获土壤动物3863个,属27个类群,其中绿地中的类群数和个体数多于农田和废弃地。农田中的优势类群为弹尾类(collembola)和蚯蚓类(Oligchaeta);废弃地中的优势类群为线虫类(Nematoda)、双翅类幼虫(Diptera(L))、螨类(Acarina)和弹尾类(Collembola);绿地中的优势类群为线蚓类(Enchytraeidae)和弹尾类(Collembola)。绿地中的优势类群为农田和绿地中的Simpson,优势度指数除12月外均高于废弃地,与Pielou均匀性指数相反,但Shannon-Wiener多样性指数规律不明显。土壤动物的数量和种类在10月份最多,随天气转冷而减少,绿地和废弃地中土壤动物个体数于次年3月份逐渐增多,农田中的于次年1月逐渐增多。表聚性显著,Ⅰ层(0～5cm)最多,Ⅱ(5～10cm)、Ⅲ(10～15cm)两层差异不大。     

UV-B辐射增强对褶皱臂尾轮虫摄食的影响

运用生态毒理学方法,研究了UV-B辐射条件下褶皱臂尾轮虫(Brachinonus plicatilis)对6株海洋微藻:小球藻(Chlorella sp.、绿色巴夫藻(Pauloua uiridis)、扁藻(Tetraselmis chuii)、球等鞭金藻8701(Isochrysis galbana Park 8701)、牟氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros muelleri Lermumerman)和小新月菱形藻(Nitzschia clostertum)的摄食.结果表明:UV-B辐射增强对褶皱臂尾轮虫的摄食有显著的抑制作用.与对照组相比,褶皱臂尾轮虫对每一种饵料单胞藻的滤水率和摄食率都表现出,随UV-B辐射剂量的增大而显著减小(P＜0.5).而且对每一种饵料单胞藻的滤水率和摄食率是不相同的,这说明褶皱臂尾轮虫对饵料单胞藻是有选择性的.     

畜禽养殖业的清洁生产途径

现有畜禽养殖的生产工艺落后、资源消耗量大、环境污染严重，通过推行清洁生产技术，可以有效解决畜禽养殖业的环境问题、提高畜禽养殖业的经济效益，实现畜禽养殖业的可持续发展。