Implications of genetics and current protected areas for conservation of 5 endangered primates in China

Most of China's 24–28 primate species are threatened with extinction. Habitat reduction and fragmentation are perhaps the greatest threats. We used published data from a conservation genetics study of 5 endangered primates in China (Rhinopithecus roxellana, R. bieti, R. brelichi, Trachypithecus francoisi, and T. leucocephalus); distribution data on these species; and the distribution, area, and location of protected areas to inform conservation strategies for these primates. All 5 species were separated into subpopulations with unique genetic components. Gene flow appeared to be strongly impeded by agricultural land, meadows used for grazing, highways, and humans dwellings. Most species declined severely or diverged concurrently as human population and crop land cover increased. Nature reserves were not evenly distributed across subpopulations with unique genetic backgrounds. Certain small subpopulations were severely fragmented and had higher extinction risk than others. Primate mobility is limited and their genetic structure is strong and susceptible to substantial loss of diversity due to local extinction. Thus, to maximize preservation of genetic diversity in all these primate species, our results suggest protection is required for all sub‐populations. Key priorities for their conservation include maintaining R. roxellana in Shennongjia national reserve, subpopulations S4 and S5 of R. bieti and of R. brelichi in Fanjingshan national reserve, subpopulation CGX of T. francoisi in central Guangxi Province, and all 3 T. leucocephalus sub‐populations in central Guangxi Province.     

Automated data analysis to rapidly derive and communicate ecological insights from satellite-tag data: A case study of reintroduced red kites

Analysis of satellite-telemetry data mostly occurs long after it has been collected, due to the time and effort needed to collate and interpret such material. Delayed reporting reduces the usefulness of such data for nature conservation where timely information about animal movements is required. To counter this problem, we present a novel approach which combines automated analysis of satellite-telemetry data with rapid communication of insights derived from such data. A relatively simple algorithm (based on radial and angular velocity calculated from fixes) allowed instantaneous detection of excursions away from settlement areas and automated calculation of home ranges on the remaining data. Automating the detection of both excursions and home-range calculations enabled us to disseminate ecological insights from satellite-tag data instantaneously through a dedicated web portal. The automated analysis, interpretation, and communication of satellite-tag and other ecological data offer clear benefits to nature conservation research and practice.     

Limitations of recreational camera traps for wildlife management and conservation research: A practitioner’s perspective

The availability of affordable ‘recreational’ camera traps has dramatically increased over the last decade. We present survey results which show that many conservation practitioners use cheaper ‘recreational’ units for research rather than more expensive ‘professional’ equipment. We present our perspective of using two popular models of ‘recreational’ camera trap for ecological field-based studies. The models used (for >2 years) presented us with a range of practical problems at all stages of their use including deployment, operation, and data management, which collectively crippled data collection and limited opportunities for quantification of key issues arising. Our experiences demonstrate that prospective users need to have a sufficient understanding of the limitations camera trap technology poses, dimensions we communicate here. While the merits of different camera traps will be study specific, the performance of more expensive ‘professional’ models may prove more cost-effective in the long-term when using camera traps for research.     

江汉平原土地利用对钉螺分布的影响研究

分析了江汉平原2009年易于钉螺孳生的3种土地利用类型（滩地、河渠和水田）比例与钉螺密度的关系。首先，在ERDAS9.2和ENVI4.7软件中对江汉平原2009年的Landsat5TM遥感影像进行了预处理。在已有的多期土地利用数据的基础上，借助eCognition软件利用向量相似度指标来提取土地利用变化区域，结合目视解译经验并运用遥感指标通过建立规则集对变化区域进行分类，将变化区域的分类结果更新2000年数据，得到了该区域2009年的土地利用数据。接下来，整理了江汉平原2009年螺情资料并计算出村级钉螺平均密度，绘制了2009年钉螺分布图。将绘制的钉螺分布图与土地利用分类图叠置分析，并结合收集的螺情数据确定了钉螺易于孳生的3种土地利用类型，分别为滩地、河渠和水田。最后，将钉螺密度与这3种土地利用比例进行线性回归分析。研究结果表明，钉螺密度与这三种土地利用类型比例存在线性回归关系，模型精度为R2=0857。该结论对通过遥感影像来估算钉螺密度具有指导意义，另外也可以为湖北省提出合理用地和灭螺并重的土地利用模式提供一定的科学参考     

Bringing together raptor collections in Europe for contaminant research and monitoring in relation to chemicals regulations

Raptors are good sentinels of environmental contamination and there is good capability for raptor biomonitoring in Europe. Raptor biomonitoring can benefit from natural history museums (NHMs), environmental specimen banks (ESBs) and other collections (e.g. specialist raptor specimen collections). Europe’s NHMs, ESBs and other collections hold large numbers of raptor specimens and samples, covering long periods of time. These collections are potentially a valuable resource for contaminant studies over time and space. There are strong needs to monitor contaminants in the environment to support EU and national chemical management. However, data on raptor specimens in NHMs, ESBs and other collections are dispersed, few are digitised, and they are thus not easy to access. Specimen coverage is patchy in terms of species, space and time. Contaminant research with raptors would be facilitated by creating a framework to link relevant collections, digitising all collections, developing a searchable meta-database covering all existing collections, making them more visible and accessible for contaminant research. This would also help identify gaps in coverage and stimulate specimen collection to fill gaps in support of prioritised contaminant monitoring. Collections can further support raptor biomonitoring by making samples available for analysis on request.     

淮南市降水化学组成特征与来源分析

2013—2014年,逐次采集淮南城市大气降水样品,对其离子化学组分进行分析测试,并利用酸度分析、中和因子和富集系数等方法对其酸碱物质平衡和离子来源进行了分析。化学组分分析结果表明,淮南城市降水pH为6.23~7.03,雨量加权平均值为6.68,整体上降水没有呈现酸化,大部分酸性物质能被碱性物质中和。主要阴离子为SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-,雨量加权平均值分别为147.02、62.16μeq/L,两者分别占阴离子总浓度的60.3%、25.3%;主要阳离子为Ca~(2+)、NH_4~+,雨量加权平均值分别为126.42、96.43μeq/L,分别占阳离子总浓度的44.9%、34.3%。利用富集系数法计算结果表明,SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-主要来源于人为活动排放,Cl~-主要为海洋输入,而Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、K~+则主要来自陆源输入和人为活动。     

双酚A及其类似物对斑马鱼胚胎及幼鱼的毒性效应

为探讨双酚A及其类似物对鱼类早期生长发育的毒性效应,研究了双酚A及其7种类似物对斑马鱼胚胎及仔鱼的毒性效应。通过对胚胎的孵化率、心率、仔鱼体长等指标进行测定分析,结果显示:(1)双酚A及其7种类似物都可使斑马鱼胚胎出现心包水肿、卵黄囊肿、脊柱弯曲和尾部弯曲等症状。(2)综合考虑斑马鱼78 hpf胚胎心率、120 hpf胚胎孵化率及7 dpf仔鱼体长抑制率等指标,8种受试物中双酚P(BPP)的毒性最大,其次是双酚AP(BPAP)、双酚AF(BPAF)、双酚Z(BPZ),然后是双酚A(BPA)、双酚B(BPB)、双酚F(BPF),双酚S(BPS)的毒性最小,每种受试物的浓度与受精卵的孵化率、仔鱼心率呈明显负相关关系,与体长抑制率呈明显正相关关系。8种受试物毒性与辛醇-水分配系数(log K_(OW))呈正相关关系,log K_(OW)越大毒性则越大。     

7种农药对管氏肿腿蜂的毒性及初级风险评价

为评估农药对寄生类自然天敌昆虫的安全性,选择管氏肿腿蜂(Scleroderma guani Xiao et Wu)作为受试生物,采用管测药膜法测定了3种杀虫剂、2种除草剂、2种杀菌剂对其致死效应,并根据田间推荐剂量计算暴露量,采用风险商值HQ对杀虫剂进行风险评估。结果显示,与空白对照比较,3种杀虫剂均具明显毒性作用,其中丁硫克百威、吡虫啉和呋虫胺对管氏肿腿蜂的24 h半致死量(24 h-LR50)分别为5.11、2.92和0.06 g a.i.·ha-1,农田内风险商值分别为60.23、16.64和3 105。除草剂和杀菌剂在3倍最大田间推荐剂量作用下,24 h管氏肿腿蜂死亡率均小于50%。上述结果表明,在田间推荐用量下,3种杀虫剂对管氏肿腿蜂的初级风险评价为存在高风险,建议进一步开展高级阶段风险评估或者采取合理的风险管理措施来降低风险;除草剂和杀菌剂对管氏肿腿蜂的风险可接受。