The mystery of a missing bone: revealing the orbitosphenoid in basal Epicynodontia (Cynodontia,Therapsida) through computed tomography

The basal non-mammaliaform cynodonts from the late Permian (Lopingian) and Early Triassic are a major source of information for the understanding of the evolutionary origin of mammals. Detailed knowledge of their anatomy is critical for understanding the phylogenetic transition toward mammalness and the paleobiological reconstruction of mammalian precursors. Using micro-computed tomography (μCT), we describe the internal morphology of the interorbital region that includes the rarely fossilized orbitosphenoid elements in four basal cynodonts. These paired bones, which are positioned relatively dorsally in the skull, contribute to the wall of the anterior part of the braincase and form the floor for the olfactory lobes. Unlike procynosuchids and the more basal therapsids in which the orbitosphenoids are well developed, dense, and bear a ventral keel, the basal epicynodonts Cynosaurus, Galesaurus, and Thrinaxodon display cancellous, reduced, and loosely articulated orbitosphenoids, a condition shared with many eucynodonts. The hemi-cylindrical orbitosphenoid from which the mammalian condition is derived re-evolved convergently in traversodontid and some probainognathian cynodonts.     

Male scent-marking pheromone of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bombus ardens ardens</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera; Apidae) attracts both conspecific queens and males

To explore the role of the volatiles emitted from male labial gland (LG) of the bumblebee Bombus ardens ardens, we investigated the responses of virgin queens and males to volatiles using a gas chromatography–electroantennographic detector (GC–EAD) system and Y-tube olfactometer. GC–EAD analysis revealed that citronellol, the main compound detected in the male LG, caused clear electrophysiological responses in the antennae of B. a. ardens virgin queens and males although two minor compounds elicited antennal responses when applied in a high concentration. Behavioral tests using a Y-tube olfactometer showed that queens and males were significantly attracted to both LG extracts and citronellol more than to the solvent alone. This is the first study to demonstrate that citronellol as a major compound of male scent-marking pheromone in B. a. ardens functions as a sex attractant for queens. The results also suggest that this compound has another function as a trail marker used by males.     

Seasonality and microhabitat selection in a forest-dwelling salamander

Many small terrestrial vertebrates exhibit limited spatial movement and are considerably exposed to changes in local environmental variables. Among such vertebrates, amphibians at present experience a dramatic decline due to their limited resilience to environmental change. Since the local survival and abundance of amphibians is intrinsically related to the availability of shelters, conservation plans need to take microhabitat requirements into account. In order to gain insight into the terrestrial ecology of the spectacled salamander Salamandrina perspicillata and to identify appropriate forest management strategies, we investigated the salamander’s seasonal variability in habitat use of trees as shelters in relation to tree features (size, buttresses, basal holes) and environmental variables in a beech forest in Italy. We used the occupancy approach to assess tree suitability on a non-conventional spatial scale. Our approach provides fine-grained parameters of microhabitat suitability and elucidates many aspects of the salamander’s terrestrial ecology. Occupancy changed with the annual life cycle and was higher in autumn than in spring, when females were found closer to the stream in the study area. Salamanders showed a seasonal pattern regarding the trees they occupied and a clear preference for trees with a larger diameter and more burrows. With respect to forest management, we suggest maintaining a suitable number of trees with a trunk diameter exceeding 30 cm. A practice of selective logging along the banks of streams could help maintain an adequate quantity of the appropriate microhabitat. Furthermore, in areas with a presence of salamanders, a good forest management plan requires leaving an adequate buffer zone around streams, which should be wider in autumn than in spring.     

Postnatal nutrition influences male attractiveness and promotes plasticity in male mating preferences

Poor early-life nutrition could reduce adult reproductive success by negatively affecting traits linked to sexual attractiveness such as song complexity. If so, this might favor strategic mate choice, allowing males with less complex songs to tailor their mating tactics to maximize the reproductive benefits. However, this possibility has been ignored in theoretical and empirical studies. By manipulating the micronutrient content of the diet (e.g., low or high) during the postnatal period of male zebra finches, we show for the first time (1) that males reared on a poor (low) micronutrient diet had less complex songs as adults; (2) that these males, in contrast to the high micronutrient diet group, were more selective in their mating strategies, discriminating against those females most likely to reduce their clutch size when paired with males having less complex songs; and (3) that by following different mating strategies, males reared on the contrasting diets obtained similar reproductive benefits. These results suggest that early-life dietary conditions can induce multiple and long-lasting effects on male and female reproductive traits. Moreover, the results seem to reflect a previously unreported case of adaptive plasticity in mate choice in response to a nutritionally mediated reduction in sexual attractiveness.     

太湖西岸河网沉积物中重金属污染特征及风险评价

为研究太湖西岸河网沉积物中重金属污染特征及风险,调查了丰-平-枯3个水期19个点位8种重金属的含量,结果表明,沉积物中重金属浓度顺序为ZnCrCuPbNiAsCdHg,其中Cd、Cu、Zn、Pb、Ni明显高于其环境背景值,除As外,其余7种重金属平水期含量高于丰水和枯水期.地累积指数(I_(geo))和潜在生态指数(RI)评价表明,研究区沉积物中Cd属于中等污染程度和中等生态风险,Cd对RI贡献率为35%,重金属生物毒性不利影响评价值(mP EC-Q)范围为0.12~0.76,平均值0.30,表明研究区发生生物毒性不利影响的可能性为15%~29%,工业与生活混合区点位S2从污染程度、生态风险、生物毒性不利影响和主成分评价的污染及风险均最大,表现出多种重金属的协同污染,这与其周围污染排放特征一致,为该区域河流沉积物中重金属污染控制提供依据.     

广州南沙红树林湿地水体和沉积物中有机氯农药的残留特征

红树林湿地对保护海岸生态环境起着重要作用,为研究有机氯农药(OCPs)在广州南沙红树林湿地水体和沉积物中的残留水平、来源和生态风险,于2015年3月采集该地区10个表层水体样品和7个表层沉积物样品,并采用GC-ECD测定其中OCPs的含量.结果表明,水体中OCPs含量为1.89~90.19 ng·L~(-1),平均值为30.16 ng·L~(-1);沉积物中OCPs含量为3.10~16.02 ng·g~(-1),平均值为8.58 ng·g~(-1).与其他河口、海湾地区相比,研究区有机氯农药污染处于中等水平.研究区水体和沉积物间HCHs和DDTs的分配系数平均值分别为857和368;在分配系数较高的区域,沉积物成为水体二次污染源的潜力较大.来源分析表明,研究区水体和沉积物中近期仍存在HCHs和DDTs输入,HCHs主要来源于林丹的使用,DDTs来源于三氯杀螨醇与工业DDT的混合输入;与水体相比,沉积物中的OCPs可能包含更多历史残留组分.风险评价结果显示,水体中OCPs的生态风险较小,但沉积物中OCPs存在较高的生态风险,可能危害红树林生态系统.     

秋夏季黄河三角洲湿地土壤汞和甲基汞的变化

汞在湿地中的行为对湿地水生生物健康具有重要影响.于2011年和2012年分别采集干(夏初)湿(秋季)季节黄河三角洲湿地土壤样品,分析不同季节汞与甲基汞的含量差异和垂直变化.秋季总汞平均含量为0.064 mg·kg-1;夏季为0.027 mg·kg-1,总汞含量平均减少57%,湿地由积水到干旱过程中导致汞的释放.秋季各点位0~10 cm深甲基汞平均含量为0.28μg·kg-1,夏季甲基汞平均含量为0.066μg·kg-1,各点位含量平均减少76%.在秋季受湿地淹水影响,利于甲基汞的形成,水分减少和湿地干旱导致土壤中的甲基汞减少.在垂直方向上,夏季与秋季相比总汞在0~10 cm深度都有减少,土壤中的汞发生释放,因此,湿地在秋季表现为汇,而在春夏季为大气汞的源.硫酸盐还原细菌的含量秋季远高于夏季,在夏季硫酸盐还原菌与甲基汞和甲基化率均显著相关,硫酸盐还原菌、淹水环境、有机物质都会影响甲基汞产生和分布.     

南京市不同季节大气亚微米颗粒物化学组分在线观测研究

本研究利用Aerodyne气溶胶化学组分监测仪在典型冬季重污染(12月)和夏季(8月)时期分别对南京城市大气非难熔性亚微米细颗粒物(NR-PM1)进行连续在线观测.结果表明,NR-PM1的组分平均贡献为(8月,12月):有机物(51.8%,44%)、硝酸盐(12.8%,23%)、硫酸盐(20.9%,13%)、铵盐(14%,16.8%)、氯化物(0.5%,3.2%).硝酸盐和硫酸盐在8月和12月呈现不同的日变化,如硝酸盐在12月白天呈现增加趋势,表明白天光化学作用对硝酸盐形成起主导作用;12月高浓度的硫酸盐在较高相对湿度的夜间被观测到,而8月在午后出现峰值,这表明在12月和8月硫酸盐的形成可能分别被液相生成和气相光化学作用驱动.8月臭氧污染期间,硝酸盐通过非均相反应在夜间快速形成,日出后,SO_2-4和氧化态有机气溶胶(OOA)同时增加表明二次气溶胶的形成;12月霾污染期间,二次无机组分和具有较高氧化度的OOA逐渐增加.     

上海一次典型雾霾过程中不同天气现象的气溶胶光学特性及转化机制

以上海市2013年冬季一次持续雾霾过程为例,根据能见度和相对湿度的地面观测资料将雾霾过程划分为干霾、湿霾、雾3种不同天气现象,对不同天气现象的气溶胶光学特性垂直分布特征进行了研究,并初步分析不同天气现象的转化机制.结果表明,3种不同天气现象的发生顺序为湿霾→干霾→湿霾及湿霾→雾→干霾→湿霾,相对湿度对能见度的影响最大,温度次之,再次是风速,而PM_(2.5)对能见度的影响最小.CALIPSO(Cloud Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation)探测期间,存在2~3 km明显气溶胶层,且不同天气现象的气溶胶层厚度不同(雾湿霾干霾);雾霾发生期间,1.0 km以下高度气溶胶消光能力最大;在干霾、湿霾到雾的转化过程中,球形、大粒径气溶胶增多,非球形、小粒径气溶胶减少.     

无锡市污水处理厂抗生素抗性菌分布与去除特性研究

近年来,污水处理厂已成为环境中抗生素抗性菌的重要来源.本研究利用传统的异养菌培养法对无锡市6座污水处理厂进出水中的5种抗生素(氨苄霉素、红霉素、四环素、卡那霉素、环丙沙星)抗性菌进行调查与分析,并对比了在不同工艺和不同季节条件下抗性菌的去除效果.结果表明,5种抗性菌在污水处理厂进出水中均可检出,进水中抗性菌浓度为103~10~5CFU·m L~(-1),出水中抗性菌浓度为10~2~10~4CFU·m L~(-1),其中,氨苄霉素抗性菌最多,占总异养菌的比例超过50%.污水处理工艺没有选择性去除抗性菌的效果,出水中抗性菌占总异养菌的比例相对于进水有增加趋势.相比其它传统工艺(氧化沟、SBR等),MBR工艺对去除氨苄霉素、红霉素抗性菌表现出一定优势;夏季目标污水处理厂对抗性菌的去除量略多于冬季,且只有环丙沙星抗性菌的去除量表现出显著的季节性差异(p0.05).