双酚A对斑马鱼幼鱼神经递质和神经行为的影响

环境浓度水平下双酚A(BPA)暴露对生物体的毒性效应受到广泛关注。以早期发育阶段斑马鱼为模型,评价了环境浓度下BPA暴露对斑马鱼幼鱼运动行为的影响,并探讨了可能的作用机制。将斑马鱼胚胎暴露于不同浓度BPA(0、1、3、10和30"g·L-1)后,斑马鱼幼鱼的整体平均运动速率显著降低。低浓度组幼鱼在持续光照条件下的运动行为显著降低,同时5-羟色胺受体(htr1a)的转录水平增加十分显著,表明BPA可能通过5-羟色胺受体对斑马鱼的运动行为产生影响。而高浓度组幼鱼在第2个黑暗刺激周期的活动过度受到抑制,同时多巴胺受体(d1r)的转录水平显著降低,表明BPA可能通过多巴胺受体影响斑马鱼对外界刺激的响应。HPLC分析结果表明,5-羟色胺和多巴胺神经递质含量在所有浓度组均显著升高。进一步分析与早期神经发育(wnt1,shha)、单胺类递质神经元分化(lmx1a,nr4a2和syn2a)以及递质合成(tph1b,th)相关的基因和蛋白水平,发现神经递质含量的升高可能是由于BPA促进了斑马鱼胚胎早期神经发育和单胺类递质神经元的分化。综上,环境浓度下BPA暴露即可对斑马鱼的运行行为产生影响,提示BPA污染很可能对生态环境及人体健康产生潜在的危害。     

三氯化铝在酸性环境中对斑马鱼幼鱼运动及学习记忆能力的影响

以斑马鱼胚胎和幼鱼为实验对象,探讨三氯化铝(Al Cl3)在酸性环境中对斑马鱼幼鱼运动能力及学习记忆的影响。将受精后6 h(hours post-fertilization)的斑马鱼胚胎分成2个大组,分别为对照组和三氯化铝组,以观察三氯化铝的毒性作用。每一大组又分为中性(pH7.4)、微酸(pH6.4)和酸性(pH5.4)组,以观察酸性环境分别及与三氯化铝的共同毒性作用。分别采用72 hpf斑马鱼幼鱼机械逃避反射实验、144 hpf斑马鱼幼鱼自发运动、168 hpf单一多次光刺激斑马鱼幼鱼实验等探讨在中性、微酸和酸性环境下暴露铝离子对斑马鱼幼鱼运动能力以及学习记忆的影响。结果显示:与中性环境下的三氯化铝组相比,微酸和酸性环境下的三氯化铝组可以使斑马鱼幼鱼机械逃避次数减少(P0.05),平均速度和移动距离下降(P0.001),斑马鱼幼鱼运动轨迹杂乱无章,自发触壁活动减少;单一多次光刺激实验结果发现,微酸和酸性环境下的三氯化铝组使斑马鱼幼鱼到达平台速度的光照次数显著增加且差异具有统计学意义(P0.001)。以上结果说明,三氯化铝在微酸和酸性环境下,能导致斑马鱼幼鱼运动能力及学习记忆能力下降,并且酸度值越小,对斑马鱼幼鱼运动和学习记忆的影响更显著。酸度值与三氯化铝之间存在协同作用,酸性环境可以使三氯化铝毒性增加。     

氯化镉和敌敌畏突发胁迫下斑马鱼的行为差异

采用计算机摄像跟踪技术,以正常水体中斑马鱼的行为变化为基础,比较突发性氯化镉和敌敌畏污染胁迫下斑马鱼的个体行为(游动速度、深度、转弯次数和加速度)和鱼群行为(平均距离和分散度)的变化规律.研究结果表明:斑马鱼在两种污染物突发性胁迫下,行为反应快速且敏感,游动行为响应与污染物种类和暴露时间直接相关;两种不同类型的污染胁迫...     

氯吡嘧磺隆和镉复合对斑马鱼肝脏的影响

为了探究污染物镉和氯吡嘧磺隆复合污染对非靶标生物斑马鱼的毒性作用,通过急性毒性试验,获得镉和氯吡嘧磺隆对斑马鱼的LC50.以LC25作为0水平,设置9个处理组进行试验,检测不同处理组斑马鱼96 h死亡率、斑马鱼肝脏中CAT、MDA和羧酸酯酶CarE.检测结果表明,镉和氯吡嘧磺隆对斑马鱼存在交互作用,当水体中镉浓度为3....     

马拉硫磷和百菌清胁迫下斑马鱼行为变化的研究

以马拉硫磷和百菌清为胁迫因子,本文研究了2种污染物暴露下斑马鱼行为强度的变化。首先通过急性毒性试验确定了2种农药对斑马鱼24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h的半致死浓度(LC50),其次以LC50-48 h为1个染毒单位(TU),在0.01 TU、0.1 TU、0.5 TU、1 TU、2 TU 5个条件下,本文开展了斑马鱼行为学研究。结果显示,48 h马拉硫磷暴露斑马鱼的LC50为5 mg·L~(-1),百菌清暴露斑马鱼的LC50为0.01 mg·L~(-1)。随着污染物浓度增大,综合行为强度变化幅度增大。在设置的暴露浓度下,斑马鱼的行为强度在急剧增大或减小后都出现了明显的调节适应过程,基本符合环境压力模型。通过比较在不同频率下的影响强度,马拉硫磷和百菌清暴露斑马鱼摆鳍所受影响最大。本研究提示,水质监测中可增加斑马鱼摆鳍观察指标。     

常见环境污染物致斑马鱼机体氧化应激的研究进展

近年来,随着我国城市化和工业化进程的快速发展,水环境污染问题日趋严重,对生态环境和人类健康构成潜在威胁.氧化应激是机体促氧化物产生和清除之间出现失衡的一种状态,被认为是影响许多疾病发生发展的重要因素,是水环境污染物对生物体产生毒性的重要途径之一.本文基于重金属、农药和新兴污染物等常见环境污染物对斑马鱼所产生的氧化应激反应进行综述,以期为开展污染物损伤生物体的监控预警及疾病预防提供一定参考依据.     

1,3-二苯胍对斑马鱼早期生命阶段的影响

1,3-二苯胍(1,3-diphenyl guanidine, DPG)是橡胶生产过程中添加的硫化促进剂,在水环境中广泛存在。然而作为水环境中的一种污染物,目前DPG对水生生物的毒性及其机制的研究极为匮乏。为了研究DPG对水生生物的生殖发育毒性及潜在机制,选择水生模式生物斑马鱼(Danio rerio)作为受试生物。将斑马鱼胚胎分别暴露于浓度为30、100和300μg·L^-1的DPG溶液中120 h,通过转录组测序、基因表达水平定量分析及性激素水平测定(雌二醇和睾酮)来探究其对斑马鱼早期生命阶段的生殖发育毒性及机制。转录组测序结果表明,DPG暴露可以显著影响与精卵识别及生殖细胞发育相关的生物学过程。DPG暴露使类固醇合成通路相关基因(cyp11a1、cyp17a1、cyp19a1a、hsd17b1、ar)的转录表达显著上调。激素结果表明DPG暴露导致斑马鱼仔鱼体内雌二醇水平显著升高。以上研究结果表明,在分子水平上,DPG能够影响斑马鱼胚胎及仔鱼的发育,但是在个体水平上仍然缺乏直接的证据揭示DPG暴露对斑马鱼生殖和胚胎发育的不良结局。本研究为DPG对水生生物的毒性研...     

沉积物与盐度对罗红霉素生物有效性的影响

在河口环境,沉积物与盐度对抗生素的生物有效性有重要影响。使用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)分析单一和复合控制系统(水、水-沉积物、水-斑马鱼、水-沉积物-斑马鱼)中的各相态中的罗红霉素,以期量化各相态中罗红霉素的迁移、分布。随着暴露时间延长,水体中罗红霉素浓度不断减少,沉积物和斑马鱼体内罗红霉素不断蓄积。沉积物的存在会减少罗红霉素在斑马鱼中的生物有效性。在高盐度环境下,沉积物拥有更大的吸附效率,符合盐析效应,导致罗红霉素的生物有效性及斑马鱼富集能力下降。水-沉积物-斑马鱼系统达平衡时,沉积物为罗红霉素的主要富集场所,可积累42.0%的罗红霉素。同时,斑马鱼可吸收和富集0.16%的罗红霉素。上述研究为研究抗生素环境行为和毒理提供了参考。     

铜及其与四环素的联合暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的毒性效应

近年来工业和养殖业中铜和四环素的滥用,导致了一定的水环境污染问题。为探究铜与四环素对水生生物的毒害作用,选择斑马鱼作为受试生物,研究了铜及其与四环素的联合暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的毒性效应,并进一步探索了其可能的致毒机制。结果表明：铜在低浓度下（10%致死浓度LC10=2.5 μg?L-1,10%效应浓度EC10=0.1 μg?L-1）明显延迟了斑马鱼胚胎的孵化、卵黄囊吸收、头部、鱼鳔和体长等生长指标的发育,同时在心脏区域引起明显细胞凋亡效应。幼鱼体内总铜含量检测结果显示低浓度下铜的生物利用度相对更高。基因表达结果显示环境浓度的铜可能通过影响神经和心脏相关基因的表达引起斑马鱼胚胎的神经发育和心脏发育异常。铜和四环素的联合暴露实验结果表明二者的复合污染类型为拮抗作用,且两者相互作用可以形成络合物。综合以上结论,说明环境浓度的铜可能通过细胞凋亡、分子水平的变化等方式对水生生物的早期生长发育产生危害,如延迟生长发育、神经及心脏发育异常,另外铜可通过和四环素等环境中其他污染物的结合改变铜的生物有效性和毒性。     

雄激素群勃龙对斑马鱼幼鱼尾鳍再生的影响机制研究

生物体的组织损伤是无法避免的,保持一定的组织修复和再生能力对于生物体而言极为重要。研究发现,包括环境雌激素在内的许多环境污染物能够影响鱼类的组织修复与再生,但雄激素是否有类似的毒性效应则未见报道。本研究以群勃龙作为雄激素的代表,首先通过斑马鱼幼鱼尾鳍再生模型,确认群勃龙能否影响斑马鱼幼鱼尾鳍再生;进一步地,通过与雄激素受体拮抗剂氟他胺的联合暴露,检测了雄激素受体、免疫系统和再生信号通路相关基因的转录水平变化,以及炎症细胞的招募与迁移,揭示雄激素干扰组织修复与再生的可能机理。研究表明,群勃龙(1 000 ng·L^-1)能抑制斑马鱼幼鱼尾鳍再生,而与氟他胺(30～300μg·L^-1)联合暴露之后,其抑制效应被显著缓解。在基因转录水平上,雄激素受体基因mRNA的变化确证了2个化合物分别对雄激素受体的激动或拮抗效应。同时,群勃龙单独暴露影响了免疫系统和再生信号通路相关基因的转录水平,而在联合暴露后,多数基因的转录水平恢复,并与对照组无差异;再生尾鳍处中性粒细胞数量变化也有类似的趋势。由此可以推断,群勃龙可能是通过雄激素受体途径,并随之干扰免疫系统和再...     

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     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

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.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

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.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

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.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.